Chess Puzzle #s0KUL — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; knight h8; pawns a4/b2/c3/d4/g4. Black: king d6; pawns a5/b7/d5/e4/h4. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke1 — king d1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: h3 — pawn h4→h3. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e1→f1).
3. Best move: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Opponent replies Nf7+ (knight h8→f7, gives check).
4. Best move: Kc7 — king d6→c7. Opponent replies Ne5 (knight f7→e5).
5. Best move: e2+ — pawn e3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe2 (king f1→e2, captures pawn).
6. Best move: h2 — pawn h3→h2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, knight endgame, very long. The key move is h3.

Position data

FEN: 7N/1p6/3k4/p2p4/P2Pp1Pp/2P5/1P6/3K4 w - - 0 35

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