Chess Puzzle #noc5n — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2289 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king c2; bishop d8; pawns a2/b3/h2. Black: king e4; knight d5; pawns b4/h3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bh4 — bishop d8→h4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ne3+ — knight d5→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c2→d2).
  3. Best move: Kf3 — king e4→f3. Opponent replies Be7 (bishop h4→e7).
  4. Best move: Nf1+ — knight e3→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king d2→e1).
  5. Best move: Nxh2 — knight f1→h2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bd6 (bishop e7→d6).
  6. Best move: Ng4 — knight h2→g4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move is Ne3+.

Position data

FEN: 3B4/8/8/3n4/1p2k3/1P5p/P1K4P/8 w - - 0 35

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