Chess Puzzle #3dz0z — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1222 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d4; pawns a3/b4/e4/f4/g3/h5. Black: king d6; pawns a6/b5/f5/f6/g4/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: e5+ — pawn e4→e5, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: fxe5+ — pawn f6→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies fxe5+ (pawn f4→e5, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ke6 — king d6→e6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move fxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p2k1p1p/1p3p1P/1P1KPPp1/P5P1/8/8 w - - 1 34

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