Chess Puzzle #171NC — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f3; knight f4; pawns a3/b4/c2/f2. Black: king c4; knight e6; pawns a5/b6/c7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf4 — knight e6→f4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxf4 — king f3→f4, captures knight. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a5→b4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c7→c5).
4. Best move: bxc5 — pawn b4→c5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Kxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p5/1p2n3/p7/1Pk2N2/P4K2/2P2P2/8 b - - 0 42

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