Chess Puzzle #EIHzg — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2354 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, hanging piece, knight endgame, short.

Position

White: king f5; knight e6; pawns a4/b5/c4/d5/g3. Black: king g8; knight f1; pawns a5/b6/c5/d6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxc5 — knight e6→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: dxc5 — pawn d6→c5, captures knight. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f5→e6).
  3. Best move: Kf8 — king g8→f8.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, hanging piece, knight endgame, short. The key move dxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/7p/1p1pN3/pPpP1K2/P1P5/6P1/8/5n2 w - - 1 36

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