Chess Puzzle #CcUc3 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1478 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, knight endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king f3; knight d3; pawns e4/g6. Black: king b3; knight c3; pawns a3/d4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nc1+ — knight d3→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king b3→b2).
  3. Best move: Nxa2 — knight c1→a2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, master, short. The key move is Nc1+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6P1/8/3pP3/pknN1K2/8/8 b - - 0 56

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