Chess Puzzle #90Bq1 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2077 · Expert · defensive move, endgame, equality, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e2; pawns a3/b3/c2/c4/f3/g3/h5. Black: king e5; pawns a5/c5/c6/d4/f5/f6/g4/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: gxf3+ — pawn g4→f3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxf3 — king e2→f3, captures pawn. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f5→f4).
  3. Best move: gxf4+ — pawn g3→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king e5→f5).
  4. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move gxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2p2p1p/p1p1kp1P/2Pp2p1/PP3PP1/2P1K3/8 b - - 0 31

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