Chess Puzzle #cU2Vb — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; pawns a2/b3/c3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king d6; pawns a6/b7/d5/f5/g5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b7→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h4 — pawn h3→h4. Opponent replies gxh4 (pawn g5→h4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kf4 — king f3→f4. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d6→e6).
4. Best move: Kg5 — king f4→g5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move is h4.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p6/p2k4/3p1ppp/3P4/1PP2K1P/P5P1/8 b - - 0 28

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