Chess Puzzle #9pXs0 — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king d3; knight e2; pawns b2/e4/g3/h3. Black: king b3; pawns a4/d4/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd2 — king d3→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kxb2 — king b3→b2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nxd4 (knight e2→d4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: exd4 — pawn e5→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies e5 (pawn e4→e5).
4. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies e6 (pawn e5→e6).
5. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Opponent replies e7 (pawn e6→e7).
6. Best move: a1=Q — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, knight endgame, promotion, very long. The key move Kxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pp/8/4p3/p2pP3/1k1K2PP/1P2N3/8 w - - 0 36

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