Chess Puzzle #3VzbE — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g3; bishop g4; knight f4; pawns a2/b2/c3. Black: king c5; rook f8; pawns a5/c6/d5/e4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc4 — king c5→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Be2+ — bishop g4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kc5 (king c4→c5).
3. Best move: Ne6+ — knight f4→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c5→d6).
4. Best move: Nxf8 — knight e6→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Be2+.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/8/2p5/p1kp4/4pNB1/2P3K1/PP6/8 b - - 1 43

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