Chess Puzzle #mZpIX — Advanced, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1923 · Advanced · advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, knight endgame, promotion, sacrifice.

Position

White: king b4; knight d7; pawns a2/b2/d5. Black: king f5; knight d6; pawns a4/b5/c4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc5 — king b4→c5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies bxa3 (pawn b2→a3, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: c3 — pawn c4→c3. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king c5→d6, captures knight).
  4. Best move: c2 — pawn c3→c2. Opponent replies Nc5 (knight d7→c5).
  5. Best move: c1=Q — pawn c2→c1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, knight endgame, promotion, sacrifice, very long. The key move is a3.

Position data

FEN: 8/3N4/3n4/1p1P1k2/pKp5/8/PP6/8 w - - 2 66

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