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

Rating 2326 · Expert · advantage, endgame, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king e4; pawns a2/b3/f4/g4/h5. Black: king d6; pawns a5/b5/c5/f6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c5→c4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies f5+ (pawn f6→f5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxf5 — king e4→f5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, pawn endgame, short. The key move bxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/3k1p1p/ppp4P/4KPP1/1P6/P7/8 b - - 1 40

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