Chess Puzzle #31eWh — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g3; knight d2; pawns a3/b4/f4/h4. Black: king d5; knight f6; pawns a6/b5/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4+ — knight f6→e4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe4 — knight d2→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxe4 (king d5→e4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Kg4 — king g3→g4. Opponent replies Ke3 (king e4→e3).
4. Best move: f5 — pawn f4→f5. Opponent replies h5+ (pawn h6→h5, gives check).
5. Best move: Kg5 — king g4→g5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Nxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p4npp/1p1k4/1P3P1P/P5K1/3N4/8 b - - 4 44

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