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

Position

White: king f2; rook c8; knight f6; pawns d7/e2/g3. Black: king c7; rook a3; knight e6; pawns a4/b3/f7/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb7 — king c7→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne4 — knight f6→e4. Opponent replies Ra2 (rook a3→a2).
3. Best move: Nc5+ — knight e4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b7→a7).
4. Best move: Nxe6 — knight c5→e6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move is Ne4.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/2kP1p2/4nN2/6p1/p7/rp4P1/4PK2/8 b - - 3 43

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