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

Position

White: king e4; knight d4; pawns e5/f4/h2. Black: king f7; knight c7; pawns b4/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne6 — knight c7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe6 — knight d4→e6, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxe6 (king f7→e6, captures knight).
3. Best move: h4 — pawn h2→h4. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g6→g5).
4. Best move: fxg5 — pawn f4→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
5. Best move: Kd3 — king e4→d3. Opponent replies b2 (pawn b3→b2).
6. Best move: Kc2 — king d3→c2. Opponent replies b1=Q+ (pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen, gives check).
7. Best move: Kxb1 — king c2→b1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Nxe6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/2n2k2/6p1/4P2p/1p1NKP2/8/7P/8 b - - 1 40

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