Chess Puzzle #xNqV8 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2402 · Master · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang.

Position

White: king f4; pawns a2/b3/c4/g4/h5. Black: king e6; pawns a6/b6/c6/f6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b6→b5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c6→b5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a6→a5).
  4. Best move: bxa5 — pawn b4→a5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move cxb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/ppp1kp1p/7P/2P2KP1/1P6/P7/8 b - - 0 32

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.