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

Rating 2290 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king e3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f3/g3/h2. Black: king c5; pawns a6/b4/c4/f5/g5/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b4→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: g4 — pawn g5→g4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short. The key move bxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/p7/2k2pp1/1pp5/2P1KPP1/PP5P/8 w - - 0 36

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