Chess Puzzle #1tWWp — Master, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2533 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame.

Position

White: king d2; pawns a2/b3/c3. Black: king e4; pawns a7/b5/c5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a3 — pawn a2→a3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: c4 — pawn c5→c4. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a3→a4).
  3. Best move: cxb3 — pawn c4→b3, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a4→b5, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Kd5 — king e4→d5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move is c4.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/8/1pp5/4k3/1PP5/P2K4/8 w - - 0 52

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.