Chess Puzzle #4zz0o — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g3; rook a6; knight e5; pawns a2/g2/h6. Black: king e7; rooks b4/b8; pawns d4/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook b8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc6+ — knight e5→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king e7→f6).
3. Best move: Nxb4 — knight c6→b4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nc6+.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/4kp2/R3p2P/4N3/1r1p4/6K1/P5P1/8 b - - 2 58

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