Chess Puzzle #21UGf — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 1050 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, fork, short.

Position

White: king e3; knight e5; pawns b5/c6/f4. Black: king e7; bishop a3; pawns b6/c7/e6/f5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd6 — king e7→d6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nc4+ — knight e5→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc5 (king d6→c5).
  3. Best move: Nxa3 — knight c4→a3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nc4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p1k3/1pP1p3/1P2Np2/5P2/b3K3/8/8 b - - 9 51

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