Chess Puzzle #H2OEu — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1539 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move.

Position

White: king f3; pawns a3/b3/c4/e3/g3/h4. Black: king e5; pawns a6/b4/c5/f5/f7/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Opponent replies Kf2 (king f3→f2).
  3. Best move: Ke4 — king e5→e4. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f2→e2).
  4. Best move: f6 — pawn f7→f6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/p7/2p1kp1p/1pP4P/PP2PKP1/8/8 w - - 0 34

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