Chess Puzzle #PM8fi — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rook d2; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/f3/g4/h3. Black: king f7; rook d7; knight d4; pawns a7/b5/c4/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ke3 — king f2→e3. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
3. Best move: axb3 — pawn a2→b3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, master, short. The key move is Ke3.

Position data

FEN: 8/p2r1kp1/7p/1p6/2pnN1P1/5P1P/PP1R1K2/8 b - - 0 36

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