Chess Puzzle #BBpOM — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2487 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king a3; pawns a4/b2/d4/f5/g2/g4. Black: king c6; pawns a5/b5/d5/f6/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kb6 — king c6→b6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: axb5 — pawn a4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxb5 (king b6→b5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: b3 — pawn b2→b3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move axb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2k2p1p/pp1p1Pp1/P2P2P1/K7/1P4P1/8 b - - 3 41

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