Chess Puzzle #giw4o — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f3; knight g8; pawns c2/g5/h5. Black: king d5; knight e7; pawns a5/b5/c5/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe7+ — knight g8→e7, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d5→e6).
3. Best move: Nd5 — knight e7→d5. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b5→b4).
4. Best move: Nf4+ — knight d5→f4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, knight endgame, long, quiet move. The key move Nxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6N1/4n2p/8/pppk2PP/8/5K2/2P5/8 b - - 1 44

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