Chess Puzzle #3p60Q — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1278 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, knight endgame, short.

Position

White: king b5; knight g4; pawns e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e6; knight b3; pawns a5/b4/g5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ka4 — king b5→a4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight b3→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa5 (king a4→a5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: b3 — pawn b4→b3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, short. The key move is Nc5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4k3/pK2P1p1/1p4N1/1n5P/5PP1/8 w - - 0 40

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