Chess Puzzle #vE3xh — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f1; bishop d1; pawns b7/c6/e4. Black: king h8; rook b1; pawns e3/e5/h3. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e2+ — pawn e3→e2, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxe2 — king f1→e2, captures pawn. Opponent replies h2 (pawn h3→h2).
3. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7. Opponent replies h1=Q (pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen).
4. Best move: b8=Q+ — pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb8 (rook b1→b8, captures queen).
5. Best move: cxb8=Q+ — pawn c7→b8, captures rook, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, exposed king, promotion, very long. The key move cxb8=Q+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7k/1P6/2P5/4p3/4P3/4p2p/8/1r1B1K2 b - - 2 50

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