Chess Puzzle #48Z9B — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1257 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king b6; knight d8; pawns a5/b5. Black: king d5; rook h1. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh6+ — rook h1→h6, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nc6 — knight d8→c6. Opponent replies Rh5 (rook h6→h5).
  3. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, short. The key move is Nc6.

Position data

FEN: 3N4/8/1K6/PP1k4/8/8/8/7r b - - 2 57

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