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

Position

White: king e3; pawns a3/b3/c3/e5/f4/h4. Black: king e6; pawns a5/b5/c5/e4/f5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a5→b4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c5→b4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kd4 — king e3→d4. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e6→d7).
5. Best move: Kc4 — king d4→c4. Opponent replies e3 (pawn e4→e3).
6. Best move: Kd3 — king c4→d3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move cxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4k3/ppp1Pp1p/4pP1P/PPP1K3/8/8 b - - 3 39

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