Chess Puzzle #TZa3h — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2336 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e3; bishop c2; pawns a2/c4. Black: king e5; knight a4; pawns a7/c5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nb2 — knight a4→b2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bb3 — bishop c2→b3. Opponent replies a6 (pawn a7→a6).
  3. Best move: a3 — pawn a2→a3. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a6→a5).
  4. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move is Bb3.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/8/2p1k3/n1P5/4K3/P1B5/8 b - - 6 44

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