Chess Puzzle #ARt9q — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f3; knight f6; pawns c3/d4/e5. Black: king e7; knight g7; pawns c4/d5/e6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne8 — knight g7→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe8 — knight f6→e8, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxe8 (king e7→e8, captures knight).
3. Best move: Kg4 — king f3→g4. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
4. Best move: Kh5 — king g4→h5. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f8→g7).
5. Best move: Kg5 — king h5→g5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Nxe8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/4k1n1/4pN2/3pP3/2pP4/2P2K2/8/8 b - - 2 40

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