Chess Puzzle #f8kmI — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2038 · Expert · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e4; pawns a2/b3/d5/f5/g3/h2. Black: king d6; pawns a7/b6/c5/f6/f7/h3. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e4→d3).
  3. Best move: Kxd5 — king d6→d5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, short, zugzwang. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4p2/1p1k1p2/2pP1P2/4K3/1P4Pp/P6P/8 w - - 3 42

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