Chess Puzzle #1IaRt — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2400 · Master · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame.

Position

White: king e4; pawns a3/b4/c4/f4/g4/h2. Black: king d6; pawns a6/b6/c5/f6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h2→h3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c5→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a3→b4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Opponent replies c5+ (pawn c4→c5, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kc6 — king d6→c6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move cxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/pp1k1pp1/2p5/1PP1KPP1/P7/7P/8 w - - 0 31

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