Chess Puzzle #9A18M — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2356 · Expert · bishop endgame, crushing, endgame, quiet move, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e2; bishop d5; pawns a4/b3/h6. Black: king f4; bishop c2; pawns a5/b4/e3. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bh7 — bishop c2→h7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bc4 — bishop d5→c4. Opponent replies Kg5 (king f4→g5).
  3. Best move: Kxe3 — king e2→e3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

bishop endgame, crushing, endgame, quiet move, short, zugzwang. The key move is Bc4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/7P/p2B4/Pp3k2/1P2p3/2b1K3/8 b - - 3 64

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