Chess Puzzle #1120T — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g4; knight d5; pawns b5/c4/f3. Black: king f6; bishop e3; pawns a3/b6/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king f6→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe3 — knight d5→e3, captures bishop. Opponent replies a2 (pawn a3→a2).
3. Best move: Nc2 — knight e3→c2. Opponent replies a1=Q (pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen).
4. Best move: Nxa1 — knight c2→a1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, long, quiet move. The key move Nxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1p3kp1/1P1N4/2P3K1/p3bP2/8/8 b - - 8 39

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