Chess Puzzle #lj8E9 — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c2; knight d6; pawns b7/c3. Black: king h6; knight c5; pawns a5/c4/d5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb7 — knight c5→b7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxb7 — knight d6→b7, captures knight. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
3. Best move: Nc5 — knight b7→c5. Opponent replies Kg5 (king h6→g5).
4. Best move: Nxa4 — knight c5→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kf4 (king g5→f4).
5. Best move: Kd2 — king c2→d2. Opponent replies Ke4 (king f4→e4).
6. Best move: Nc5+ — knight a4→c5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, knight endgame, very long. The key move Nxb7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1P6/3N3k/p1np4/2p5/2P5/2K5/8 b - - 0 52

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