Chess Puzzle #W0WJZ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2274 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, short.

Position

White: king c3; pawns a5/b4/f3/g4/h6. Black: king d6; knight b7; pawns c6/d5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c6→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies cxb4+ (pawn c5→b4, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc2 — king c3→c2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, short. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: 8/1n3p1p/2pk2pP/P2p4/1P4P1/2K2P2/8/8 b - - 0 38

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