Chess Puzzle #Xg3xa — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d3; knight e4; pawns g5/h4. Black: king f4; knight a2; pawns c3/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg4 — king f4→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6 — knight e4→d6. Opponent replies Kxh4 (king g4→h4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nxf7 — knight d6→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kg4 (king h4→g4).
4. Best move: Kc2 — king d3→c2.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, knight endgame, long. The key move is Nd6.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/6p1/6P1/4Nk1P/2pK4/n7/8 b - - 1 53

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