Chess Puzzle #TtSQi — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; knight a2; pawns b4/c4/f4/g3/h3. Black: king c6; bishop h2; pawns a6/b7/f5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b7→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kg2 — king f3→g2. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nc3 — knight a2→c3. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h5→h4).
4. Best move: Kxh2 — king g2→h2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move, trapped piece. The key move is Kg2.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p6/p1k3p1/5p1p/1PP2P2/5KPP/N6b/8 b - - 0 40

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