Chess Puzzle #LVyI3 — Master, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king d2; knight a7; pawns c5/g3/g6. Black: king e6; knight b4; pawns b5/c6/e5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc3 — king d2→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nd5+ — knight b4→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king c3→d3).
3. Best move: Ne7 — knight d5→e7. Opponent replies Ke4 (king d3→e4).
4. Best move: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Opponent replies g7 (pawn g6→g7).
5. Best move: Kf7 — king e6→f7. Opponent replies g8=Q+ (pawn g7→g8, promotes to queen, gives check).
6. Best move: Kxg8 — king f7→g8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is Nd5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/N7/2p1k1P1/1pP1p3/1n6/6P1/3K4/8 w - - 1 49

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