Chess Puzzle #USdOs — Master, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2698 · Master · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move.

Position

White: king e3; pawns a3/c4/d4/g2/h3. Black: king d6; pawns a4/c5/f5/g5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: cxd4+ — pawn c5→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king e3→d4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: h5 — pawn h6→h5. Opponent replies c5+ (pawn c4→c5, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kc6 — king d6→c6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move. The key move cxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/3k3p/2p2pp1/p1PP4/P3K2P/6P1/8 w - - 0 41

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

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