Chess Puzzle #DQSoB — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; knight e5; pawns a3/b4/d4/f4/g5. Black: king d6; bishop e8; pawns a6/b5/d5/f5/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke6 — king d6→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd3 — knight e5→d3. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e6→d7).
3. Best move: Nc5+ — knight d3→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d7→c6).
4. Best move: Nxa6 — knight c5→a6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is Nd3.

Position data

FEN: 4b3/8/p2k2p1/1p1pNpP1/1P1P1P2/P5K1/8/8 b - - 7 47

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