Chess Puzzle #5c0mV — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1828 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king b4; pawns a3/b2/c5/e3/f2/g3/h3. Black: king c6; pawns a4/b5/e4/f5/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g4 — pawn g3→g4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: fxg4 — pawn f5→g4, captures pawn. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h3→h4).
  3. Best move: h5 — pawn h6→h5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move fxg4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2k3pp/1pP2p2/pK2p3/P3P1PP/1P3P2/8 w - - 0 36

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