Chess Puzzle #nHlKo — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2289 · Expert · advanced pawn, bishop endgame, crushing, defensive move, endgame, promotion.

Position

White: king e5; bishop c4; pawns e4/g4. Black: king h3; pawns a5/f2/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (8 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf5 — king e5→f5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies e5 (pawn e4→e5).
  3. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies e6 (pawn e5→e6).
  4. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Opponent replies e7 (pawn e6→e7).
  5. Best move: a1=Q — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen. Opponent replies e8=Q (pawn e7→e8, promotes to queen).
  6. Best move: Qb1+ — queen a1→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe4 (queen e8→e4).
  7. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen b1→e4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe4 (king f5→e4, captures queen).
  8. Best move: Kxg4 — king h3→g4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke3 (king e4→e3).
  9. Best move: Kg3 — king g4→g3.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, bishop endgame, crushing, defensive move, endgame, promotion, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/7p/p3K1p1/2B1P1P1/7k/5p2/8 w - - 0 59

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