Chess Puzzle #LfrS4 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2764 · Master · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d4; pawns a4/b2/c3/f3/g4/h2. Black: king d6; pawns a6/b6/d5/f6/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: b3 — pawn b2→b3. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d6→e6).
  3. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e6→d6).
  4. Best move: bxa5 — pawn b4→a5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move is b3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/pp1k1p1p/3p2p1/P2K2P1/2P2P2/1P5P/8 b - - 3 42

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