Chess Puzzle #40oDM — Advanced, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1961 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a3/b2/c3/d4/g4. Black: king e6; pawns a7/b6/c5/d5/g5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: cxd4 — pawn c5→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king d3→d4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: dxc4 — pawn d5→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxc4 (king d4→c4, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Ke5 — king e6→e5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move cxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/1p2k3/2pp2p1/3P2P1/P1PK4/1P6/8 w - - 0 39

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