Chess Puzzle #4pYdS — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1590 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a5/b4/c3/d4/e4/g4/h3. Black: king f6; pawns a6/b5/c6/e5/e6/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exd4 — pawn e5→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxd4 — king d3→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies e5+ (pawn e6→e5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc5 — king d4→c5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short. The key move Kxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p1p1pk1p/Pp2p1p1/1P1PP1P1/2PK3P/8/8 b - - 1 30

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