Chess Puzzle #3QNcX — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1314 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, fork, master, short.

Position

White: king e1; rook d4; knight d2; pawn h3. Black: king f5; rook b2; knight e3; pawns e4/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxe4 — knight d2→e4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nc2+ — knight e3→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king e1→d1).
  3. Best move: Nxd4 — knight c2→d4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Nc2+.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/8/5k2/3Rp3/4n2P/1r1N4/4K3 w - - 0 38

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