Chess Puzzle #03Ws6 — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c2; knight e7; pawns c5/d4/f4/h4. Black: king c7; bishop c1; pawns b2/d5/f5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be3 — bishop c1→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd5+ — knight e7→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc6 (king c7→c6).
3. Best move: Nxe3 — knight d5→e3, captures bishop. Opponent replies b1=Q+ (pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxb1 — king c2→b1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Nxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2k1N3/8/2Pp1p1p/3P1P1P/8/1pK5/2b5 b - - 1 56

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