Chess Puzzle #ZM1Ad — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g2; knight h6; pawns e4/f4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; rook d8; knight h7; pawns b7/c7/f7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b7→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf7+ — knight h6→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Nxd8 — knight f7→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b5→b4).
4. Best move: Nc6 — knight d8→c6. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
5. Best move: Ne7+ — knight c6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
6. Best move: Nd5 — knight e7→d5. Opponent replies Nf6 (knight h7→f6).
7. Best move: Nc3 — knight d5→c3.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, fork, very long. The key move Nxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/1pp2p1n/7N/8/4PP2/6P1/6KP/8 b - - 0 36

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