Chess Puzzle #74f8R — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d6; knight e6; pawns g5/h4. Black: king a4; knight d7; pawns b5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxd7 — king d6→d7, captures knight. Opponent replies Kb5 (king a4→b5).
3. Best move: Nd4+ — knight e6→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc4 (king b5→c4).
4. Best move: Nc6 — knight d4→c6. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
5. Best move: Na5+ — knight c6→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd4 (king c4→d4).
6. Best move: Nxb3+ — knight a5→b3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, hanging piece, knight endgame, very long. The key move Nxb3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/3n3p/3KN1p1/1p4P1/k6P/8/8/8 b - - 1 52

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