Chess Puzzle #yV4DG — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c5; knight e5; pawns a4/b4/d7. Black: king e7; rook d8; pawns a6/b7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook d8→d7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd7 — knight e5→d7, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e7→d7, captures knight).
3. Best move: Kb6 — king c5→b6. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d7→c8).
4. Best move: Ka7 — king b6→a7. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a6→a5).
5. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c8→c7).
6. Best move: Ka8 — king a7→a8.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move Nxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/1p1Pk3/p7/2K1N3/PP6/8/8/8 b - - 0 38

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