Chess Puzzle #M2Sjs — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d6; knight c5; pawns a6/b6. Black: king a8; rook h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh6+ — rook h5→h6, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kc7 — king d6→c7. Opponent replies Rh7+ (rook h6→h7, gives check).
3. Best move: Nd7 — knight c5→d7. Opponent replies Rh8 (rook h7→h8).
4. Best move: b7+ — pawn b6→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king a8→a7).
5. Best move: b8=Q+ — pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb8 (rook h8→b8, captures queen).
6. Best move: Nxb8 — knight d7→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, promotion, very long. The key move is Kc7.

Position data

FEN: k7/8/PP1K4/2N4r/8/8/8/8 b - - 8 66

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