Chess Puzzle #523rO — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 1070 · Beginner · crushing, defensive move, endgame, fork, long.

Position

White: king a4; knight b4; pawns a2/b7. Black: king c5; rook g8; pawn d6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook g8→b8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Na6+ — knight b4→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king c5→b6).
  3. Best move: Nxb8 — knight a6→b8, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxb7 (king b6→b7, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Nd7 — knight b8→d7.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Na6+.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/1P6/3p4/2k5/KN6/8/P7/8 b - - 2 60

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

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