Chess Puzzle #L8w2M — Master, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king c3; knight b6; pawns c2/f3/g4/h4. Black: king c6; knight a3; pawns a5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc4 — knight b6→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc4 — knight a3→c4, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxc4 (king c3→c4, captures knight).
3. Best move: g5 — pawn g7→g5. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h4→h5).
4. Best move: f6 — pawn f7→f6. Opponent replies c3 (pawn c2→c3).
5. Best move: Kb6 — king c6→b6. Opponent replies Kd5 (king c4→d5).
6. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies Kc4 (king d5→c4).
7. Best move: Ka5 — king b6→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move Nxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pp1/1Nk4p/p7/6PP/n1K2P2/2P5/8 w - - 6 34

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