Chess Puzzle #BzyWQ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; pawns b3/c4/e4/f4/g4/h4. Black: king c5; pawns a3/c7/e6/f6/f7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb4 — king c5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies a2 (pawn a3→a2).
3. Best move: Kb2 — king c2→b2. Opponent replies a1=B+ (pawn a2→a1, promotes to bishop, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxa1 — king b2→a1, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move. The key move is h5.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p2p2/4pp1p/2k5/2P1PPPP/pP6/2K5/8 b - - 1 32

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.