Chess Puzzle #DRDxW — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2699 · Master · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; pawns b3/d4/f4/g5/h4. Black: king c6; pawns b6/c4/d6/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: d5 — pawn d6→d5. Opponent replies Kc3 (king d3→c3).
  3. Best move: Kd6 — king c6→d6. Opponent replies Kb4 (king c3→b4).
  4. Best move: dxc4 — pawn d5→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxc4 (king b4→c4, captures pawn).
  5. Best move: Kc6 — king d6→c6. Opponent replies d5+ (pawn d4→d5, gives check).
  6. Best move: Kd6 — king c6→d6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move is d5.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/1pkp2p1/6Pp/2pP1P1P/1P1K4/8/8 w - - 0 36

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