Chess Puzzle #oIOQ3 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d6; knight c6; pawns d4/e6. Black: king g7; queen a1; pawn b5. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g7→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kd7 — king d6→d7. Opponent replies Qa8 (queen a1→a8).
3. Best move: e7+ — pawn e6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
4. Best move: Nd8+ — knight c6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f7→g7).
5. Best move: e8=Q — pawn e7→e8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, promotion, very long. The key move is Kd7.

Position data

FEN: 8/6k1/2NKP3/1p6/3P4/8/8/q7 b - - 1 52

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