Chess Puzzle #9Li10 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; rook f4; pawns a5/b2/c3/f2/f3. Black: king f6; knight f5; pawns a7/b6/c5/d5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka4 — king b3→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Opponent replies Kb5 (king a4→b5).
3. Best move: c4 — pawn c5→c4. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a5→b6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: axb6 — pawn a7→b6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is h5.

Position data

FEN: 8/p6p/1p3kp1/P1pp1n2/5R2/1KP2P2/1P3P2/8 w - - 0 39

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