Chess Puzzle #1ZtDm — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d2; knight f4; pawns a2/b3/c2/f3. Black: king c4; rook h8; pawns a7/b6/c5/f5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd4 — king c4→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c3+ — pawn c2→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king d4→e5).
3. Best move: Ng6+ — knight f4→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king e5→e6).
4. Best move: Nxh8 — knight g6→h8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is c3+.

Position data

FEN: 7r/p7/1p6/2p2p2/2k2N2/1P3P2/P1PK4/8 b - - 0 33

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