Chess Puzzle #CMFDJ — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2269 · Expert · crushing, endgame, master, pawn endgame, quiet move, short.

Position

White: king e3; pawns a2/b2/c4/g4/h2. Black: king e5; pawns a7/b7/c5/g5/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a3 — pawn a2→a3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a5 — pawn a7→a5. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b2→b3).
  3. Best move: h3 — pawn h4→h3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, pawn endgame, quiet move, short, zugzwang. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp6/8/2p1k1p1/2P3Pp/4K3/PP5P/8 w - - 0 30

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

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