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

Position

White: king h4; knight a2; pawns a3/f5/h3. Black: king d2; knight d5; pawns a4/a6/c2. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c1=Q — pawn c2→c1, promotes to queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc1 — knight a2→c1, captures queen. Opponent replies Kxc1 (king d2→c1, captures knight).
3. Best move: Kg5 — king h4→g5. Opponent replies Kb2 (king c1→b2).
4. Best move: h4 — pawn h3→h4. Opponent replies Kxa3 (king b2→a3, captures pawn).
5. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies Kb3 (king a3→b3).
6. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies Nf6 (knight d5→f6).
7. Best move: Kxf6 — king g5→f6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, quiet move, very long. The key move Nxc1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p7/3n1P2/p6K/P6P/N1pk4/8 b - - 2 57

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