Chess tactic

Crushing Puzzle (1555)

After the setup move axb4, it is White to move. Find the forcing continuation before checking the solution.

Position after axb4. White to move.

Puzzle ID

0iKbS

Rating

1555

Side to move

White

Themes

Crushing, Endgame, Quiet Move

Material

Material is level

FEN

8/8/8/3p1k2/Pp3P1p/1P3K2/8/8 w - - 0 54

What to look for

Find a move that decisively changes the evaluation, usually by force.

54. a5 54... h3 55. a6 55... h2 56. Kg2 56... h1=Q+ 57. Kxh1

The full forcing line from the source position is:

53... axb4 54. a5 54... h3 55. a6 55... h2 56. Kg2 56... h1=Q+ 57. Kxh1