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

Rating 2224 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a4/b3/e4/e5/f4/h2. Black: king c5; pawns a5/b5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc3 — king d3→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies bxa4 (pawn b3→a4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: h6 — pawn h7→h6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move bxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p1p/4p1p1/ppk1P3/P3PP2/1P1K4/7P/8 w - - 0 34

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