Chess Puzzle #0bQoy — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1319 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a4/b3/g4. Black: king c5; pawns a5/b5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc3 — king d3→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: b4+ — pawn b5→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king c3→d3).
  3. Best move: Kd5 — king c5→d5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move is b4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/7p/ppk5/P5P1/1P1K4/8/8 w - - 0 42

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