Chess Puzzle #CgCt9 — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e2; knight d4; pawns a5/g2/h3. Black: king d6; bishop h6; pawns d5/e4/f4/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc5 — king d6→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h4 — pawn h3→h4. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king c5→d4, captures knight).
3. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Kc5 (king d4→c5).
4. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, quiet move, sacrifice, zugzwang. The key move is h4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/3k3b/P2p3p/3Npp2/7P/4K1P1/8 b - - 2 49

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