Chess Puzzle #q2c5V — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f5; knight d5; pawns f6/g4. Black: king b5; bishop f8; pawns a5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc3+ — knight d5→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king b5→a5).
3. Best move: Nxa4 — knight c3→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxa4 (king a5→a4, captures knight).
4. Best move: Ke6 — king f5→e6. Opponent replies Bc5 (bishop f8→c5).
5. Best move: Kf7 — king e6→f7.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, sacrifice, very long. The key move is Nc3+.

Position data

FEN: 5b2/7p/5P2/pk1N1K2/6P1/8/8/8 b - - 2 49

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