Chess Puzzle #43BbC — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h6; knight e4; pawns c4/g6. Black: king g8; rook c7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook c7→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: g7+ — pawn g6→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: g8=Q — pawn g7→g8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long, promotion. The key move is Nf6+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2r5/6PK/8/2P1N3/8/8/8 b - - 2 65

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