Chess Puzzle #6jcSO — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d3; knight c6; pawns e3/f3/g3/h4. Black: king e6; knight d6; pawns d5/f6/f7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf5 — knight d6→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd4+ — knight c6→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd4 (knight f5→d4, captures knight).
3. Best move: exd4 — pawn e3→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f6→f5).
4. Best move: Kc3 — king d3→c3. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e6→d6).
5. Best move: Kb4 — king c3→b4. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d6→c6).
6. Best move: Ka5 — king b4→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, very long. The key move is Nd4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/2Nnkp2/3p3p/7P/3KPPP1/8/8 b - - 4 50

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