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

Position

White: king f7; knight e6; pawn d7. Black: king h4; knight b7; pawn h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg4 — king h4→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc5 — knight e6→c5. Opponent replies Nd8+ (knight b7→d8, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke8 — king f7→e8. Opponent replies Nc6 (knight d8→c6).
4. Best move: Nd3 — knight c5→d3. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h5→h4).
5. Best move: Ne5+ — knight d3→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Nxe5 (knight c6→e5, captures knight).
6. Best move: d8=Q — pawn d7→d8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, deflection, endgame, knight endgame, promotion, quiet move, very long. The key move is Nc5.

Position data

FEN: 8/1n1P1K2/4N3/7p/7k/8/8/8 b - - 1 53

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