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

Position

White: king d2; knight f6; pawns g4/h4. Black: king c4; bishop a4; pawns c7/d4/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc5 — king c4→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies gxh5 (pawn g6→h5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: gxh5 — pawn g4→h5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c5→d6).
4. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is h5.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p5/5Np1/8/b1kp2PP/8/3K4/8 b - - 1 39

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