Chess Puzzle #SdXt1 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2310 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e3; pawns a2/b3/c4/e4/g2/h3. Black: king e5; pawns a6/c5/c7/d6/g5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g4 — pawn g2→g4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e3→d3).
  3. Best move: Kf4 — king e5→f4. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b3→b4).
  4. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c5→b4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move is h4.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p5/p2p4/2p1k1pp/2P1P3/1P2K2P/P5P1/8 w - - 0 37

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