Chess Puzzle #N89eT — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2165 · Expert · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king f4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f5/h5. Black: king f7; pawns a5/b5/c4/d4/d5/f6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies dxc4 (pawn d3→c4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: dxc4 — pawn d5→c4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short. The key move bxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5k2/5p2/pp1p1P1P/2pp1K2/3P4/PPP5/8 w - - 0 42

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