Chess Puzzle #0I0gA — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; pawns a3/b4/d4/f3/f4/h4. Black: king c6; pawns a6/b5/e6/f6/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd3 — king e4→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kd5 — king c6→d5. Opponent replies Kc3 (king d3→c3).
3. Best move: e5 — pawn e6→e5. Opponent replies dxe5 (pawn d4→e5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: fxe5 — pawn f6→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c3→d2).
5. Best move: Kd4 — king d5→d4. Opponent replies fxe5 (pawn f4→e5, captures pawn).
6. Best move: Kxe5 — king d4→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke3 (king d2→e3).
7. Best move: Kf5 — king e5→f5. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f3→f4).
8. Best move: Kg4 — king f5→g4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move is Kd5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p1k1ppp1/1p5p/1P1PKP1P/P4P2/8/8 w - - 0 31

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