Chess Puzzle #YO7jh — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2425 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king h5; pawns a2/b3/c4/e4/f5/h3. Black: king f6; pawns a3/b4/c5/d6/e5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d5 — pawn d6→d5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: exd5 — pawn e4→d5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxf5 (king f6→f5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Kh4 — king h5→h4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, pawn endgame, short. The key move exd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/3p1k1p/2p1pP1K/1pP1P3/pP5P/P7/8 b - - 1 39

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