Chess Puzzle #Rtvh9 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; pawns a4/b3/c4/f5/g4/h3. Black: king c6; pawns a5/c5/e5/f6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd7 — king c6→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: fxg6 — pawn f5→g6, captures pawn. Opponent replies hxg6 (pawn h7→g6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kd5 — king e4→d5. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g6→g5).
4. Best move: Kxc5 — king d5→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d7→e6).
5. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a5→b4, captures pawn).
6. Best move: Kxb4 — king c5→b4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move fxg6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/2k2pp1/p1p1pP2/P1P1K1P1/1P5P/8/8 b - - 0 35

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