Chess Puzzle #3c5Om — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 1130 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, fork, short.

Position

White: king g3; knight e3; pawns a4/b3/c2/f5/h4. Black: king d6; rook d2; pawns a6/f6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nc4+ — knight e3→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king d6→d5).
  3. Best move: Nxd2 — knight c4→d2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p2k1p2/5P1p/P6P/1P2N1K1/2Pr4/8 b - - 3 41

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