Chess Puzzle #tH0jv — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1996 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king b3; pawns a4/c4/c5/e4/f5/g4/h2. Black: king a6; pawns a5/b5/c6/e5/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: cxb5+ — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c6→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies c6 (pawn c5→c6).
  3. Best move: b4 — pawn b5→b4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short. The key move cxb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/k1p2p1p/ppP1pP2/P1P1P1P1/1K6/7P/8 w - - 1 40

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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