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

Rating 2321 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a4/b3/c3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king e6; pawns a5/c5/d5/f6/g6/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf5 — king e6→f5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a5→b4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, pawn endgame, short. The key move is b4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4kpp1/p1pp4/P4P1p/1PPK3P/6P1/8 b - - 2 44

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