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

Position

White: king e4; knight c6; pawns c4/g4. Black: king g5; bishop d4; pawns c5/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxg4 — king g5→g4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c5→d4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Kxd4 — king e4→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kf5 (king g4→f5).
4. Best move: Kd5 — king d4→d5. Opponent replies Kf6 (king f5→f6).
5. Best move: Kd6 — king d5→d6. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f6→f7).
6. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2N3p1/2p3k1/2PbK1P1/8/8/8 b - - 0 52

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