Chess Puzzle #5PN9G — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1531 · Intermediate · endgame, equality, fork, short.

Position

White: king f4; knight e3; pawns b3/d5/g2/h4. Black: king d6; rook e2; pawns a5/b4/c5/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb2 — rook e2→b2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nc4+ — knight e3→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd5 (king d6→d5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Nxb2 — knight c4→b2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, fork, short. The key move is Nc4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/3k4/p1pP4/1p3K1P/1P2N3/4r1P1/8 b - - 0 47

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