Chess Puzzle #sa0d7 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; knight d8; pawns a4/b2/c3/f2/f3/h3. Black: king c2; bishop f4; pawns c5/d5/f5/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c3→d4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: cxd4 — pawn c5→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nc6 (knight d8→c6).
4. Best move: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Opponent replies Nb4+ (knight c6→b4, gives check).
5. Best move: Kd2 — king c2→d2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move is d4.

Position data

FEN: 3N4/8/6p1/2pp1p2/P4b2/2P2P1P/1Pk2P2/6K1 w - - 0 35

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