Chess Puzzle #dB9uc — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king f6; knight b6; pawns c5/e3/h4. Black: king d8; bishop d7; pawns b7/f5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (9 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd7 — knight b6→d7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kxd7 — king d8→d7, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxg6 (king f6→g6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kc6 — king d7→c6. Opponent replies Kxh6 (king g6→h6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kxc5 — king c6→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kg5 (king h6→g5).
5. Best move: b5 — pawn b7→b5. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h4→h5).
6. Best move: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Opponent replies h6 (pawn h5→h6).
7. Best move: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Opponent replies h7 (pawn h6→h7).
8. Best move: b2 — pawn b3→b2. Opponent replies h8=Q (pawn h7→h8, promotes to queen).
9. Best move: b1=Q — pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Qc8+ (queen h8→c8, gives check).
10. Best move: Kd6 — king c5→d6.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, defensive move, endgame, equality, promotion, quiet move, very long. The key move Kxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3k4/1p1b4/1N3Kpp/2P2p2/7P/4P3/8/8 w - - 0 38

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