Chess Puzzle #XbXCy — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2706 · Master · advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, knight endgame, quiet move, very long.

Position

White: king d2; knight c3; pawns f3/g4/h6. Black: king c4; knight f4; pawns a6/b2/d3. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: h7 — pawn h6→h7. Opponent replies Ng6 (knight f4→g6).
  3. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
  4. Best move: f5 — pawn f4→f5. Opponent replies Nh8 (knight g6→h8).
  5. Best move: Nb1 — knight c3→b1. Opponent replies Kb3 (king c4→b3).
  6. Best move: Kxd3 — king d2→d3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, knight endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is h7.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p6P/8/2k2nP1/2Np1P2/1p1K4/8 b - - 1 49

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