Chess Puzzle #4ky67 — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1299 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, knight endgame, short.

Position

White: king e2; knight b3; pawns c5/e3/f3/h3. Black: king c6; knight a6; pawns d5/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd3 — king e2→d3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc5+ — knight a6→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc5 (knight b3→c5, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Kxc5 — king c6→c5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, short. The key move Nxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/n1k3p1/2Pp3p/8/1N2PP1P/4K3/8 w - - 6 38

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