Chess Puzzle #11dT4 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d4; knight c5; pawns f4/g3/h4. Black: king e6; bishop e4; pawns f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king e6→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe4+ — knight c5→e4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies fxe4 (pawn f5→e4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Kxe4 — king d4→e4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f6→e6).
4. Best move: g4 — pawn g3→g4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, zugzwang. The key move Nxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/4k1p1/2N2p2/3KbP1P/6P1/8/8 b - - 4 47

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