Chess Puzzle #Qegwi — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; pawns a3/b4/d3/e4/f5/h3. Black: king f6; pawns b5/c5/d6/e5/g5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c5→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: dxc4 — pawn d3→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies g4 (pawn g5→g4).
4. Best move: hxg4 — pawn h3→g4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move. The key move dxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/3p1k2/1pp1pPpp/1P2P3/P2PK2P/8/8 b - - 1 37

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.