Chess Puzzle #a2zn8 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2181 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long.

Position

White: king g2; knight c5; pawns a2/d5/h3. Black: king f7; bishop d7; pawns b4/e5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke7 — king f7→e7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd7 — knight c5→d7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e7→d7, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Kf3 — king g2→f3. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d7→c7).
  4. Best move: Ke3 — king f3→e3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move Nxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/3b1k2/7p/2NPp3/1p6/7P/P5K1/8 b - - 0 41

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