Chess Puzzle #JTa7X — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2599 · Master · crushing, endgame, knight endgame, long, quiet move, trapped piece.

Position

White: king b3; knight e5; pawns c3/d4. Black: king c7; knight d1; pawns b5/d5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd6 — king c7→d6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ng4 — knight e5→g4. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d6→e6).
  3. Best move: Kc2 — king b3→c2. Opponent replies Kf5 (king e6→f5).
  4. Best move: Kxd1 — king c2→d1, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, long, quiet move, trapped piece. The key move is Ng4.

Position data

FEN: 8/2k5/8/1p1pN3/3P4/1KP5/8/3n4 b - - 8 64

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