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

Position

White: king h2; bishop h3; knight f7; pawns e6/f4/g3/h4. Black: king e3; queen e8; pawns g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g6→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6 — knight f7→d6. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen e8→d8).
3. Best move: e7 — pawn e6→e7. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen d8→d6, captures knight).
4. Best move: e8=Q+ — pawn e7→e8, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, promotion. The key move is Nd6.

Position data

FEN: 4q3/5N2/4P1pp/8/5P1P/4k1PB/7K/8 b - - 3 40

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