Chess Puzzle #4TxDQ — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king a2; knight b4; pawns a6/g4/h4. Black: king d7; rook c3; knight c5; pawns d4/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies Na6 (knight c5→a6).
3. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Nxb4+ (knight a6→b4, captures knight, gives check).
4. Best move: Kb2 — king a2→b2. Opponent replies Rc2+ (rook c3→c2, gives check).
5. Best move: Kb3 — king b2→b3.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, defensive move, endgame, equality, promotion, very long. The key move is a7.

Position data

FEN: 8/3k3p/P4pp1/2n5/1N1p2PP/2r5/K7/8 b - - 0 42

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