Chess Puzzle #IjL9W — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2649 · Master · crushing, endgame, master, pawn endgame, very long.

Position

White: king d2; pawns a2/b3/c3/f5/g4/h5. Black: king e5; pawns a5/b4/d5/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd3 — king d2→d3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kf4 — king e5→f4. Opponent replies c4 (pawn c3→c4).
  3. Best move: dxc4+ — pawn d5→c4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b3→c4, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Ke5 — king f4→e5. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c4→c5).
  5. Best move: Kd5 — king e5→d5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, pawn endgame, very long. The key move dxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/5p1p/p2pkP1P/1p4P1/1PP5/P2K4/8 w - - 1 42

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