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

Position

White: king e2; knight a5; pawns a4/b2/d4/e5/g2/h3. Black: king d5; knight c3; pawns b3/g6/g7/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: b2 — pawn b3→b2. Opponent replies c4+ (pawn c3→c4, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke6 — king d5→e6. Opponent replies Nb3 (knight a5→b3).
4. Best move: b1=Q — pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, long, promotion. The key move is b2.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/6p1/N2kP2p/P2P4/1pn4P/1P2K1P1/8 w - - 0 41

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