Chess Puzzle #13szn — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d4; knight e4; pawns d5/f4/g4/h4. Black: king e7; knight d7; pawns d6/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight d7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf6 — knight e4→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxf6 (king e7→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Kc4 — king d4→c4. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h6→h5).
4. Best move: gxh5 — pawn g4→h5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, long, zugzwang. The key move Nxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/3nkp2/3p2pp/3P4/3KNPPP/8/8/8 b - - 2 40

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