Chess Puzzle #SR7N6 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2365 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king d2; pawns a4/c3/e5/f4/h4. Black: king d5; pawns a6/b5/c5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c5→b4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short. The key move cxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p5p1/1ppkP2p/P4P1P/2P5/3K4/8 b - - 0 40

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