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

Rating 2467 · Master · advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, pin, promotion, very long.

Position

White: king g5; rook f6; pawns a4/c4/d4/e5/h4. Black: king g7; bishop e7; pawns a6/b5/c6/g6/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies dxc6 (pawn d5→c6, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies c7 (pawn c6→c7).
  4. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Opponent replies Kf4 (king g5→f4).
  5. Best move: a1=Q — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, pin, promotion, very long. The key move bxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/4b1k1/p1p2Rp1/1p2P1Kp/P1PP3P/8/8/8 w - - 0 39

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