Chess Puzzle #21a1P — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 797 · Beginner · advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, promotion, very long.

Position

White: king c1; bishop h1; pawns a5/b2/c2. Black: king d6; rook h8; pawns f7/g7/h3. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h2 — pawn h3→h2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Re8 (rook h8→e8).
  3. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies Re1+ (rook e8→e1, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kd2 — king c1→d2. Opponent replies Rxh1 (rook e1→h1, captures bishop).
  5. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, promotion, very long. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: 7r/5pp1/3k4/P7/8/7p/1PP5/2K4B b - - 3 33

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