Chess Puzzle #2S4G8 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d3; knight a3; pawns g4/h3. Black: king c1; pawns b2/f6/g5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b1=Q+ — pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxb1 — knight a3→b1, captures queen. Opponent replies Kxb1 (king c1→b1, captures knight).
3. Best move: Ke4 — king d3→e4. Opponent replies Kc2 (king b1→c2).
4. Best move: Kf5 — king e4→f5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Nxb1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/5p2/6p1/6P1/N2K3P/1p6/2k5 b - - 7 50

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