Chess Puzzle #FdMD5 — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c6; knight e2; pawns a2/b6. Black: king f6; knight c4; pawns e5/f4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb6 — knight c4→b6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxb6 — king c6→b6, captures knight. Opponent replies Kf5 (king f6→f5).
3. Best move: Kc5 — king b6→c5. Opponent replies Ke4 (king f5→e4).
4. Best move: Kc4 — king c5→c4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, hanging piece, knight endgame, long. The key move Kxb6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1PK2k2/4p3/2n2p2/8/P3N3/8 b - - 0 45

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