Chess Puzzle #9vUDA — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1638 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e3; knight c3; pawns a3/b4/f4/g5/h3. Black: king e6; knight e7; pawns a6/b5/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd5+ — knight e7→d5, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxd5 (king e6→d5, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Kd3 — king e3→d3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move Nxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/4n2p/p3k1p1/1p3pP1/1P3P2/P1N1K2P/8/8 b - - 0 35

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