Chess Puzzle #11aSj — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 1028 · Beginner · advanced pawn, bishop endgame, crushing, endgame, master, promotion.

Position

White: king h3; pawns a6/b6/e4. Black: king c8; bishop d2; pawns b7/c6/e5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ba5 — bishop d2→a5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies Bxb6 (bishop a5→b6, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: a8=Q+ — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, bishop endgame, crushing, endgame, master, promotion, short. The key move is a7.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/1p6/PPp5/4p3/4P3/7K/3b4/8 b - - 0 44

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

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