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

Rating 1979 · Advanced · advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, short.

Position

White: king c3; knight a5; pawns e5/g2/h2. Black: king d5; pawns a3/c4/e6/f4/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxc4 — knight a5→c4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Opponent replies Nb6+ (knight c4→b6, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc6 — king d5→c6.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, short. The key move is a2.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4p2p/N2kP3/2p2p2/p1K5/6PP/8 w - - 0 42

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