Chess Puzzle #Qpb4L — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2230 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move.

Position

White: king g4; pawns a4/b5/c3/d4/g5/h4. Black: king d6; pawns a5/b6/d5/e5/g6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: gxh5+ — pawn g6→h5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh5 (king g4→h5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: e4 — pawn e5→e4. Opponent replies Kg4 (king h5→g4).
  4. Best move: Ke6 — king d6→e6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move. The key move gxh5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/1p1k2p1/pP1pp1P1/P2P2KP/2P5/8/8 w - - 0 39

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