Chess Puzzle #ga5wX — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2492 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e2; pawns a5/b4/c5/d4/e3/g4. Black: king f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/g5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf3 — king e2→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: hxg4+ — pawn h5→g4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg4 (king f3→g4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: a6 — pawn a7→a6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move hxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp6/2p2k2/P1Pp2pp/1P1P2P1/4P3/4K3/8 w - - 0 39

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