Chess Puzzle #DPYY5 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king b5; pawns a6/c2/c6. Black: king a7; knight e5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf7 — knight e5→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7. Opponent replies Nd6+ (knight f7→d6, gives check).
3. Best move: Kc6 — king b5→c6. Opponent replies Nc8 (knight d6→c8).
4. Best move: Kd7 — king c6→d7. Opponent replies Nb6+ (knight c8→b6, gives check).
5. Best move: Kd8 — king d7→d8. Opponent replies Kxa6 (king a7→a6, captures pawn).
6. Best move: c4 — pawn c2→c4. Opponent replies Nxc4 (knight b6→c4, captures pawn).
7. Best move: c8=Q+ — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, deflection, endgame, knight endgame, promotion, quiet move, very long. The key move is c7.

Position data

FEN: 8/k7/P1P5/1K2n3/8/8/2P5/8 b - - 0 58

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