The balance of power

Checkmate in Moves

... is the main criterion for selecting the puzzles for Netschach at the beginning of fall. As in previous years, a task is chosen that has a similar numerical balance of power between the two parties. As long as the knight and bishop are rated equally, this is successful here - there is parity, the balance of power between the two camps is equal. Still - one might say, because couldn't White change this decisively by reaching the baseline on c8? To the side with his own regent, one step forward and the black monarch is toppled? Try it out - you have 4 moves.
Manual
Move for White with the best possible moves and achieve checkmate before the countdown expires. Black responds automatically and tries to prevent the checkmate.
Chesspuzzle: 184

Solution moves

Chess composer
Samuel Loyd
N.Y. Evening Telegraph 1885
Statistics
Fails: 46 // Checkmate: 2