Chess Puzzle #1HLsX — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1224 · Intermediate · advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, long.

Position

White: king h6; knight d3. Black: king e6; pawn a3. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg5 — king h6→g5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Opponent replies Nc5+ (knight d3→c5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kd5 — king e6→d5. Opponent replies Nb3 (knight c5→b3).
  4. Best move: Kc4 — king d5→c4.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, long. The key move is a2.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4k2K/8/8/p2N4/8/8 w - - 0 60

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.