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

Rating 1402 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king c4; knight b5; pawns a5/c5. Black: king e4; rook b1. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc1+ — rook b1→c1, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nc3+ — knight b5→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king e4→e5).
  3. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Nc3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/PNP5/2K1k3/8/8/1r6 b - - 2 53

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