Chess Puzzle #3M1hE — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g2; knight f5; pawns a4/c5/d6/g4. Black: king e5; rook b7; pawns a6/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook b7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies Rxd6 (rook d7→d6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nxd6 — knight f5→d6, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king e5→d6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Kf3 — king g2→f3. Opponent replies Kxc6 (king d6→c6, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Ke4 — king f3→e4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move is c6.

Position data

FEN: 8/1r6/p2P4/2P1kNp1/P5P1/8/6K1/8 b - - 0 48

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.