Chess Puzzle #3Kmtq — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1472 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king b3; pawns a5/b4/c4. Black: king d4; pawns a7/b6/c5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc5 — pawn b4→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: bxc5 — pawn b6→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies a6 (pawn a5→a6).
  3. Best move: Kd3 — king d4→d3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short. The key move bxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/1p6/P1p5/1PPk4/1K6/8/8 w - - 3 43

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