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

Rating 2705 · Master · crushing, endgame, exposed king, knight endgame, very long.

Position

White: king d1; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/h5. Black: king f6; pawns a7/b6/d3/e3/f4/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king f6→g7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxg5 — knight e4→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
  3. Best move: Ne6 — knight g5→e6. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f4→f3).
  4. Best move: Nd4 — knight e6→d4. Opponent replies f2 (pawn f3→f2).
  5. Best move: Nf5+ — knight d4→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh5 (king h6→h5, captures pawn).
  6. Best move: Nxe3 — knight f5→e3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, knight endgame, very long. The key move Nxg5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/1p3k2/6pP/4Np2/3pp3/PP6/3K4 b - - 2 40

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