Chess Puzzle #thI9A — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2742 · Master · advanced pawn, bishop endgame, crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move.

Position

White: king c4; bishop f5; pawns b5/c5/e4/g4/h3. Black: king b7; bishop e5; pawns a4/d4/f6/f7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kb4 — king c4→b4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g4→g5).
  3. Best move: h5 — pawn h6→h5. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g5→g6).
  4. Best move: d2 — pawn d3→d2. Opponent replies Bc8+ (bishop f5→c8, gives check).
  5. Best move: Kc7 — king b7→c7. Opponent replies b6+ (pawn b5→b6, gives check).
  6. Best move: Kc6 — king c7→c6. Opponent replies Bd7+ (bishop c8→d7, gives check).
  7. Best move: Kxd7 — king c6→d7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, bishop endgame, crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is d3.

Position data

FEN: 8/1k3p2/5p1p/1PP1bB2/p1KpP1P1/7P/8/8 w - - 0 34

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