Chess tactic

Crushing Puzzle (1721)

After the setup move g4, it is White to move. Find the forcing continuation before checking the solution.

Position after g4. White to move.

Puzzle ID

0Lcb9

Rating

1721

Side to move

White

Themes

Crushing, Endgame

Material

Material is level

FEN

8/7p/p5kP/2p5/6p1/P7/1PP1K3/8 w - - 0 40

What to look for

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

40. b4 40... cxb4 41. axb4

The full forcing line from the source position is:

39... g4 40. b4 40... cxb4 41. axb4