Chess Puzzle #RJvO9 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e4; knight e3; pawns a5/b4/f5/h4. Black: king d6; knight b2; pawns a6/b5/c3/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc4 — knight b2→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc4+ — knight e3→c4, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Ke3 — king e4→e3. Opponent replies c2 (pawn c3→c2).
4. Best move: Kd2 — king e3→d2.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, long. The key move Nxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p2k4/Pp3P1p/1P2K2P/2p1N3/1n6/8 b - - 6 56

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