Chess Puzzle #3LbTk — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1419 · Intermediate · advanced pawn, attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, knight endgame.

Position

White: king d2; knight b2; pawns a2/a3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king b5; knight d4; pawns c2/c4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g4 — pawn g2→g4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: c3+ — pawn c4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc3 (king d2→c3, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: c1=Q+ — pawn c2→c1, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, knight endgame, promotion, short. The key move is c3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pp/8/1k6/2pn4/P6P/PNpK1PP1/8 w - - 4 42

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