Chess Puzzle #JJRNE — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1845 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king b3; bishop d4; pawns e3/e5/f4/g2/g5. Black: king c6; bishop c5; pawns b5/e6/f5/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd4 — bishop c5→d4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: exd4 — pawn e3→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kd5 (king c6→d5).
  3. Best move: Kc3 — king b3→c3. Opponent replies b4+ (pawn b5→b4, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxb4 — king c3→b4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, zugzwang. The key move exd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2k1p1p1/1pb1PpP1/3B1P2/1K2P3/6P1/8 b - - 0 40

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