Chess Puzzle #Rl4V1 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c3; knight d4; pawns c4/h3. Black: king c5; knight b4; pawns a4/f4/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nb3+ — knight d4→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c5→d6).
3. Best move: Kxb4 — king c3→b4, captures knight. Opponent replies a2 (pawn a3→a2).
4. Best move: Ka3 — king b4→a3. Opponent replies a1=Q+ (pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen, gives check).
5. Best move: Nxa1 — knight b3→a1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, knight endgame, very long. The key move is Nb3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/8/2k5/pnPN1p2/2K4P/8/8 b - - 1 40

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