Chess Puzzle #9jE4L — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2597 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king g4; pawns a2/b3/c3/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g6; pawns a6/b5/c4/d5/g5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h4 — pawn h3→h4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: cxb3 — pawn c4→b3, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb3 (pawn a2→b3, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short. The key move cxb3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/p5k1/1p1p2p1/2pP2K1/1PP4P/P4PP1/8 w - - 2 33

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