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

Rating 2250 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a3/b3/c3/g4. Black: king d5; pawns a5/b5/c5/g5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c5→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c3→b4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move cxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/pppk2p1/6P1/PPPK4/8/8 w - - 0 37

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