Chess Puzzle #sIl7l — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d6; rook a6; pawns c4/f2/f3/h4. Black: king h7; knight a2; pawns b3/c5/f6/g7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxc5 — king d6→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc3 — knight a2→c3. Opponent replies Ra3 (rook a6→a3).
3. Best move: b2 — pawn b3→b2. Opponent replies Rxc3 (rook a3→c3, captures knight).
4. Best move: b1=Q — pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long, promotion, quiet move. The key move is Nc3.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pk/R2K1p2/2p4p/2P4P/1p3P2/n4P2/8 w - - 0 39

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