Chess Puzzle #nCL2k — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1999 · Advanced · advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, promotion.

Position

White: king h2; queen c6; rook g4; pawns b5/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen a5; rook c8; pawns a3/b6/c7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Opponent replies d6 (pawn d5→d6).
  3. Best move: a1=Q — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen. Opponent replies dxc7+ (pawn d6→c7, captures pawn, gives check).
  4. Best move: Ka7 — king b8→a7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, promotion. The key move is a2.

Position data

FEN: 1kr5/2p5/1pQ5/qP6/3P2R1/p6P/5PPK/8 w - - 0 43

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