Chess Puzzle #MhcE5 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f3; knight c3; pawns c4/d5/e6. Black: king e7; bishop g3; pawns b6/c5/f4/h3. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king e7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne4+ — knight c3→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f6→e7).
3. Best move: Nxg3 — knight e4→g3, captures bishop. Opponent replies fxg3 (pawn f4→g3, captures knight).
4. Best move: Kxg3 — king f3→g3, captures pawn. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b6→b5).
5. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies c4 (pawn c5→c4).
6. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move is Ne4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/4k3/1p2P3/2pP4/2P2p2/2N2Kbp/8/8 b - - 1 54

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