Chess Puzzle #xtgUs — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2330 · Expert · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, short.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a4/b2/c3/g2/g3/g4. Black: king d6; pawns a6/c5/d5/f6/g5/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b2→b4).
  3. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c5→b4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, short. The key move is d4.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/p2k1p2/2pp2p1/P5P1/2PK2P1/1P4P1/8 w - - 0 36

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