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

Position

White: king b7; pawns a4/b3/d4/h3. Black: king e8; knight f4; pawns c6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne6 — knight f4→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
3. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Nc7 (knight e6→c7).
4. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
5. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Opponent replies Kd6 (king d7→d6).
6. Best move: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Opponent replies cxd5 (pawn c6→d5, captures pawn).
7. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d5→d4).
8. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, knight endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: 4k3/1K4p1/2p4p/8/P2P1n2/1P5P/8/8 b - - 0 37

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