Chess Puzzle #PKUAE — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d5; knight c5; pawns a2/b4/c2/g4/h4. Black: king g6; knight e6; pawns a6/b5/c7/f5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc5 — knight e6→c5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: gxf5+ — pawn g4→f5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf5 (king g6→f5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: bxc5 — pawn b4→c5, captures knight. Opponent replies Kg4 (king f5→g4).
4. Best move: Kc6 — king d5→c6. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f7→f5).
5. Best move: Kxc7 — king c6→c7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, intermezzo, knight endgame, very long. The key move gxf5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p2p2/p3n1kp/1pNK1p2/1P4PP/8/P1P5/8 b - - 1 40

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