Chess Puzzle #ZSiaf — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2732 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, very long.

Position

White: king e3; bishop d4; pawns a2/b3/c3/h4. Black: king e6; bishop e5; pawns b5/c4/f5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd4+ — bishop e5→d4, captures bishop, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxd4 — king e3→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies cxb3 (pawn c4→b3, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: axb3 — pawn a2→b3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e6→d6).
  4. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures pawn).
  5. Best move: Kxc4 — king d4→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke5 (king d6→e5).
  6. Best move: Kd3 — king c4→d3. Opponent replies Kf4 (king e5→f4).
  7. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Opponent replies Ke5 (king f4→e5).
  8. Best move: Ke3 — king d3→e3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Kxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4k3/1p2bp1p/2pB3P/1PP1K3/P7/8 b - - 0 33

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.