Chess Puzzle #3CEhd — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king f4; knight c2; pawn e6. Black: king d5; knight d4; pawn a2. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Na1 — knight c2→a1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe6+ — knight d4→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king f4→e3).
3. Best move: Kc4 — king d5→c4. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e3→d2).
4. Best move: Nd4 — knight e6→d4. Opponent replies Kc1 (king d2→c1).
5. Best move: Kc3 — king c4→c3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Nxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4P3/3k4/3n1K2/8/p1N5/8 w - - 1 60

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