Chess Puzzle #rtD9e — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2685 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, hanging piece, very long.

Position

White: king b2; knight c1; pawn b4. Black: king c8; bishop a2; pawns a7/b6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kb8 — king c8→b8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxa2 — king b2→a2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kb7 (king b8→b7).
  3. Best move: Kb3 — king a2→b3. Opponent replies Kc6 (king b7→c6).
  4. Best move: Kc4 — king b3→c4. Opponent replies a6 (pawn a7→a6).
  5. Best move: Nb3 — knight c1→b3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, hanging piece, very long. The key move Kxa2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/p7/1p6/8/1P6/8/bK6/2N5 b - - 9 60

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