Can you promote this pawn? This Puzzle Will BLOW YOUR MIND!

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🔹 A Puzzle That Tells If YOU Have The "Chess Talent" - • A Puzzle That Tells If...
In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov gives you a chess puzzle challenge. It is an interesting and a hard chess puzzle where your goal is to promote the White pawn in a rook and pawn endgame and win.
Can you solve this puzzle? Share your answer in the comments below.
▬▬▬▬▬▬
► Chapters
00:00 Hard Chess Puzzle
00:17 Draw variation
00:52 Can White promote their b-pawn?
01:28 Creating a Zugzwang
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#GMSmirnov #ChessPuzzle #ChessTraining #ChessProblem

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@whatsgoodmyguy4391]

Why not just get a queen ???

[@hypernova8117]

@@whatsgoodmyguy4391 it would be stalemate

[@roloa7741]

Thanks Igor, but his lesson is imperfect. At the beginning it asks “how to promote the pawn”, which would be fine - there’s only one way, I think, so a fine lesson on pawn promotion perhaps, but then suddenly it’s “white to play and win”?! Which we can do in just 3 white moves, so why bother promoting? Rc3, Pd5, Pb7, Pd6, Rc8!# 😉👍🏼… 🤔 Does white gain points by promoting?

[@christopherpavlicas]

I'm a low-rated player, but this puzzle seemed pretty obvious to me. It's strange how sometimes I can stare at a low-rated puzzle for a long time and not find the solution. Yet, I solved this one in less than 30 seconds.

[@matteomarku7177]

try creating 1600 elo accounts and learn some opening.

[@AiR1DaN]

It's because you don't have a lot of options and the lines aren't very long

[@vishnukumar4531]

Did you also find under-promoting to a Bishop? And the possible lines required to deliver a checkmate from there without stalemate? I mean, giving the check was kinda obvious, the moment something is framed as a puzzle. But in a real game, a low-rated guy like me will never think of/calculate lines where they first sacrifice their only valuable piece left on the board... And also, more often than not, they won't result in anything advantageous and would instead be called Blunders!

[@Christoff070]

@@vishnukumar4531 yes underpromoting can be hard to see but I'm not sure what u mean by the checkmating lines. Once you have the bishop and eat blacks pawns the game is over

[@vishnukumar4531]

@@Christoff070okay, yeah I agree! It's probably pretty hard to get a stalemate with just the bishop, unlike a queen. So, it should be rather simple!

[@jeromebesnaud3030]

I found the solution to promote the pawn but I would have fell in the stalemate trap by promoting into a queen 😂

[@mr.qc21]

same

[@georgeritmeester4736]

The first move is pretty obvious, but it took me a while to realize it's the (correct) underpromotion that makes it work.

[@ginoferiante7140]

How’s that? Why not promote to Queen? I’m fairly new to studying chess.

[@carlossus4973]

@@ginoferiante7140 If you promote to a Queen Black can't move, but the King isn't in Mate.

[@Trelmayas21]

The most interesting thing is that if you put this position into stockfish for analysis, stockfish thinks the position is even, a perfect 0.00 evaluation, and does not see the move Rc8. Once you play it though, stockfish immediately recognizes it as a strong move, and jumps the eval up to +59.3. As strong as chess engines are, it's always fun to see their occasional blindspots.

[@cr4zyj4m1e87]

Stockfish shows it as checkmate in 22 to me.

[@cr4zyj4m1e87]

@@Trelmayas21 Could be a blind spot on 15 as you say, I was using 14.1 on lichess. You could try setting it up 1 move before such as king on c8 then moving the king to b8, see if that might make stockfish 15 evaluate it as it should.

[@georgeritmeester4736]

How long did you wait to play Rc8+? Stockfish may be fast, but it's not always instantaneous.

[@christopherpavlicas]

Houdini Chess Engine also thinks the position is equal. Amazingly, it also doesn't see Rc8. Once Rc8 is played, Houdini initially thinks the evaluation is +64 and with a little more waiting it changes its mind to #22. Go figure.

[@georgeritmeester4736]

@@christopherpavlicas Amazing!

[@or3213]

Please make the sound effects with lower volume. The first one gave me a jumpscare :/

[@MrLazyleader]

I would prefer no sound effects at all

[@sandgrain5547]

L

[@aseemsharan]

😂 true

[@PaulFurber]

Hey Igor, what's wrong with b7? Black is then forced to play d5 (no other moves) after which Rc8 is mate.

[@vsklblos8060]

dxc6

[@PaulFurber]

@@vsklblos8060 Oops - thanks! Didn't see that.

[@ayushsengupta2645]

@@PaulFurber Bro, I too thought the same!!! I too didn't see dxc6

[@mudiagaakpobasa7706]

When I saw the puzzle, my first thought was, how did the white Rook get there in the first place? Because the black pawn attacking it couldn't have suddenly appeared there since it's still on the first line. Although I get the idea of the puzzle, I do not believe this exact scenario is possible because the position of white was compromised from the beginning making it impossible for white to win.

[@prplt]

perhaps the pawn was pinned

[@slawero]

Why can't I just move the b6 pawn to b7? The only move left for black would be pawn to d5 and then I take the rook and promote to queen with a check. The black king captures and then the rook to c8 check mate. Am I missing something?

[@Estrozix]

The d7 pawn will eat the rook

[@TXKurt]

Rc8 KxR; b7 Kb8; d5 Kc7 (Zugzwang); Pxa8 (B to avoid stalemate while protecting the last pawn) ...

[@TimothyZhou0]

For everyone saying that 1.b7 forces mate in 2, no it doesn't. Black just takes your rook, 1...dxc6. The underpromotion to bishop is necessary. If White promotes to queen or rook, that's stalemate. If he promotes to knight, it gets trapped after 4...Kb8.

[@jacobcarrizales427]

Spending a week or so on just zugzwang puzzles will help out greatly in endgames. Ideally more but when you’re a beginner for sure.

[@christospapazoglou8889]

Nice Puzzle! You have to promote the b pawn to a bishop. Rc8+ , Kxc8, b7+ , Kb8, d5 (very importand move), Kc7, bxa8 = bishop (only way to avoid stalemate), Kd8, Kxa7, Kc8, etc

[@georgeritmeester4736]

Not the only way to avoid stalemate, but the only way that wins.

[@SuperYoonHo]

Thank you so much!!!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

You're welcome!

[@SuperYoonHo]

@@GMIgorSmirnov It's an honour sir, thank you very much 🙏

[@Christiaan1958]

I solve the puzzle also fairly quickly... once you see the solution as far as the under promotion to a Bishop then the win is clear(the under promotion to a Kt, doesn't work (just saying)reasons are...after you sac it on b6 and your King takes pawn on b6 then because the black King will patrol the back and second rank near it's pawns and your own white pawn will prevent your King to get closer to d5 (to win the front black pawn on d6 and then later plant your white pawn at d6) then there could be at the end of some moves a promotion taking place after you take the d7 pawn with the King( obviously)...but all that is not to be...but i looked at the Kt promotion just for fun to see if it can be made to work, but obviously it doesn't work only the under promotion to Bishop work here in this exact position!)

[@cloudieuwu8656]

I'm a low rated and i found it on about 45 seconds, I think my problem is, that I often look not at the hole board. Thanks for that greate puzzle :)

[@georgeritmeester4736]

I think it's preferable for initial comments (and perhaps even replies) to be restricted to general comments about the position, rather than providing variations. Thus when someone sees a comment that makes it clear his/her solution is not correct, that person still has the opportunity to improve by thinking about the position further - rather than having the solution handed to them on a silver platter, which they could achieve in any case simply by continuing to view Igor's video.

[@kiiturii]

how you gonna expect him to "restrict" the comment section like that lmao that's basically impossible

[@georgekosinski8957]

@@kiiturii My advice applies to you - not to Igor.

[@kiiturii]

@@georgekosinski8957 that doesn't make any sense

[@BobChess]

This is very cool underpremote to avoid stalemate

[@gamefalor8872]

0:46, there is a back rank mate, maybe you can treaten that together with the pawn

[@stonefox9124]

I see it to but no one is talking about it...

[@John-pn7bh]

Wouldn't pawn to B7 then rook to C8 have been simpler?

[@outsidespac3]

the black pawn will take the white rook if B7 is played first

[@sahasnarkar4625]

Please make a video on how to learn openings

[@teambellavsteamalice]

Not sure... b7 doesn't work as the rook is hanging moving the rook anywhere but c8 means black can take axb6+ Rxd7 axb6+, Kxb6 Kc8 and d7 is defended and the black rook can escape It seems best move is: Rc8+ Kxc8, b7+ Kb8, d5 Kc7, bxa8=B? Because of the tempo black is forced to move the king. But getting a queen or rook is stalemate! Is a bishop enough to win? Kb8, Bb7 Kc7 Kxa7 Kd8 you have tempi to win all the pawns and promote the d pawn I think.

[@aaronchan1088]

1. Rc8+!! Kxc8 2. b7 Kb8 3. d5!! the key move as taking the rook loses on the spot. this forces black to abandon protection of the rook. 3... Kc7 4. bxa8=B!!! promoting to a queen or rook is stalemate. 1 - 0

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Hard Chess Puzzle 00:17 Draw variation 00:52 Can White promote their b-pawn? 01:28 Creating a Zugzwang

[@georgeritmeester4736]

Actually it's White to play and win

[@eyworld]

Zugzwang. Is this German word really an international term for a forced move? I'm German and was kinda confused :)

[@drjaigupta]

Lovely problem! Fortunately I solved it the same way. Thanks 😊

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great!

[@HantonSacu]

There is an alternative. b7 d5, Rh6 any possible move, either promotion xa8 if king moves or Rh8 if pawn moves. Extra rook and you can queen promote. 😄

[@georgemiller8325]

d5 hangs mate in one, no need for Rh6 - but after b7 your rook is hanging after dxc6 and black wins..

[@HantonSacu]

true, I didn't see it. 😅

[@hernaniloureiro9998]

is pushing the B pawn forward first then the rook to C8 not checkmate?

[@TimothyZhou0]

1... dxc6 oops

[@hernaniloureiro9998]

@@TimothyZhou0 didnt even see it 😅😅

[@georgeritmeester4736]

Only if Black cooperates.

[@McLKeith]

You are right. But the question was: Can the white pawn be promoted. It can, it doesn't exist very long. So it is a wasted move.

[@elumalaia1843]

At first I am also thought of you

[@modeob88]

Force checkmate in two: pawn e7, force blacks pawn d5 only move, rock c8 checkmate. right ? Or the idea is only to promote ? doesnt care about easy checkmate?

[@harishb981]

B7 followed by c8 is way gaster to finish this game......is this correct? reply me sir

[@donaldwoodbury8562]

I didn't see the beginning position from the very beginning, so b7 first does not work. you lose the rook before being able to mate, therefore you have to promote the pawn. I really should make sure , that I am commenting accurately. I really liked the puzzle.

[@balashorts3073]

GM white win in 2 move first -1.b7,d5,2.Rc8#

[@MarcelElfers]

What about B7 : d5 (forced move) Rc8#

[@michaelkennedy4346]

There are 2 other answers to the question, the obvious being b7 dxc6, bxa8/Q. Or Rc8+ Kxc8, b7+ Kb8, bxa8/Q. Neither wins, but that wasn’t the question to the puzzle.

[@archangel893]

Whilst looking at the thumbnail I saw Rc8+ Kxc8 b7+ Kh8 d5 then after I solved I clicked on the video, thanks for reintroducing me to my favorite game

[@creationfromearth]

you can just check mate the king without promoting , just push the pawn and after they move there pawn just lift the rook .

[@navneetbhardwaj7157]

If its white turn then move that pawn , which traps king and rook of black then only move left for black is to forward its black pawn in fourth file which ends the game with a check and mate by whites rook

[@wicked5999]

Black can take the rook

[@radhakrishnachaturvedula1071]

It’s a mate in 3. Move the rook to C1 or C2. Rest is obvious black has got pawns to move.

[@DspMx]

1, Rc8, KxR 2. b7, Kb8 3. d5, Kc7 4. bxR=B

[@peterkrjgaard7973]

1. Rc8+! Kxc8 2. b7+ Kb8 3. d5! Kc7 (only move) 4. bxa8D wins

[@yakshpatel710]

nice puzzle for beginners 😍❣️

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you 🤗

[@Foralluhaterz]

it becomes a stale mate as black has no more moves, am I missing something

[@jadeamoro5118]

GM. can you create a content about the basics of the sicilian?

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Here is a video about Sicilian kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWWtXphnqNiEipo Thanks for the your suggestion. We will make more videos about Sicilian defense.

[@jadeamoro5118]

thankss!

[@williamsquires3070]

It’s even easier than that. After 1 b7 ... black would be stalemated (black pawn on a7 is blocked, as are black’s rook and king) were it not for the pawn on d6, so 1 ... d6 (forced), 2 Rc8#.

[@iankemp1131]

No, 1...dxc6 stops it.

[@williamsquires3070]

@@iankemp1131 oh, yeah. Didn’t even see that initially. 😔

[@NasosDriv]

correct me if i am wrong... isn't it mate in 2? if the pawn goes forward to b7, then isn't the only move black can do pawn to h5? and then white rook to c8 and its mate if thats the case, then what's the point to promote the pawn?

[@Estrozix]

Then the d7 pawn eats the rook

[@DomDrag72]

b7 blacks must move on d5 and Rc8 mate!

[@RamonMartinezGasca]

Maybe we can find part of the solution. Because not the bishop. Great Puzzle.

[@waghrajendra]

b7 and black has only move d5 Rc8 check Kx R b7 x R promotes Queen

[@factteller4240]

It's mate in 2. Push b pawn in first move and rook to c8 in second and it's mate

[@roz_rama]

Thought that as well at first 😀, if just that pawn couldn't take the rook... That moment kind of got me thinking, this is completely artificial position, there seems to be no logical way how one can get into that.

[@mehmetdogukoc8887]

Pb6-b7 and rc6-c8 checkmate maybe

[@yourturn2470]

Dayum first time my brain managed to find the answer for 2sec🤣

[@rajendrasolanki4608]

Rc7-pb6chq by Black Kb6-Pd5 Rd7-Ra7Black Rd8chqmate

[@Sir_Isaac_Newton_]

I knew it had to do with white forcing black to make a bad move, but I didn't quite find it.

[@dougfoster445]

I got as far as sacrificing the rook but got stuck afterwards

[@jackpast]

Just to win I played P to b7. Black must advance his pawn. R to c8 mate.

[@ravidcohen5040]

Why not: Pawn to b7, black moves pawn, pawn to a8, black eat queen, then rook to c8 for winning?

[@bhabanidash921]

I believe white wins in three moves. First white advances pawn to b7. Black has no other move than to move pawn to d5. then white checkmate with rook at d8

[@peterdiesner3213]

What about RC1, PD5 (forced), RH1? PD6 or KC8, RH8 mate

[@roloa7741]

Because K takes R

[@somnathdas9291]

(1)b7,d5,(2)R-c8

[@that_one_guy934]

1. b7, d5 2. Rc8#

[@2oin541]

Pawn takes your rook?

[@azrar]

I know the objective was to promote the pawn... but you can simply win the game by playing pawn to b7. Black has no move except to move a pawn up. Then rook to c8 complete the mate.

[@azrar]

@@NimTaoWingChun Doh! Yes, you are right.

[@patriciafitch2432]

yes

[@norenzzyrusrogel6834]

You know it's good when you sacrifice the "ROOOOOK"!!!!!.....

[@Palace_till_I_die]

How did the white rook get into that position in the first place ? Btw the first move is very obvious, always look for a sacrifice move in this kind of puzzle,, but I failed to figure out the moves after that

[@stonefox9124]

🤣 always look for a sacrifice move, dumb...

[@ayushsengupta2645]

What if we play pawn to b7, then the only move for white is d5. Then we will play pawn takes rook a8 promoting to a queen, forcing the king to take it. Now, we will play rook to c8 and that I think is checkmate! Isn't it?

[@thomasmattson2389]

Low rated guy here, but why can't white play pawn B7, and then after black moves its pawn to D5, then Rc8 mate.

[@davidbarson2048]

i see rook to c8 kxc8 b7. and bxa8. how did i go?

[@patrickozioma6424]

A faster way to do checkmate the king in 3 moves instead of just picking up pawns is pawn to b7 which forces black pawn to d5 then after that promote the b7 pawn to either a queen or rook which is another forcing move since the black king must capture then finally the third move for white, rook to C8 Checkmate

[@georgeritmeester4736]

Your solution is only correct if the task is to find a self-mate for Black. In any case, in a normal game, after 1.b7 Black would simply capture the rook rather than playing ...d5.

[@patrickozioma6424]

@@georgeritmeester4736 Yeah . The Igor's objective was to promote the pawn . You are correct

[@simash09]

But pawn could pick up rock c6 instead of pawn move to d5

[@patrickozioma6424]

@@simash09 Jeez really didn't see that . You are right

[@alankuusisto3342]

I think b7 also wins. With blacks only option to move their pawn, the Rc8#

[@royceroof]

why not move b7?

[@wartinskater]

Saw the move right the way and took me about 3 seconds to calc it works

[@Dtchmastrkilla7]

wow you must have a big brain

[@johnsnow8370]

I thought wgite will do r-c7 Which is almost the same variation

[@stonefox9124]

I know, there is a easy checkmate no one is talking about...

[@NoName-lc1lt]

Very easy (after Calculate Till Mate)

[@gabrielknight553]

rc8....b7.....d5....extra queen and win

[@georgeritmeester4736]

It's customary to include the moves for both sides when delineating a variation, not to mention that it's "extra queen and draw," not "extra queen and win."

[@vanessajazp6341]

Curious why you would promote to a white-square bishop instead of a queen.

[@SocialOutcast1986]

I'm missing something 😕 I thought 1.Rc7, b7 if kings doesn't capture R then R c8 check, KxRc8, a8 Maybe I don't understand stalemate rules...

[@antonioph861]

B6 is off limits because of kings. C6 off limits because of pawn. If you promote to queen then the entire top row is off and B2 is off limits. Since the king isn’t in check but cannot make a legal move. It would be considered a stalemate.

[@stonefox9124]

​​@@antonioph861 what are u talking about.....? He never said B6 or C6... Why is all the back row off limits?

[@coltonanthony999]

i’m rated 600 rapid and 700 blitz i clicked on this because i solved it in 10 seconds looking at the thumbnail. hoping that’s good news for me

[@nidhimishra806]

what would happen if we play pawn to b7 and then rook to c8 checkmate

[@AverageJoe1006]

The rook get taken by the d pawn first

[@Zamiroh]

I can promote it... wouldn't keep it for long, not sure if that is part of it lol!

[@ID123Test]

Why not b7, d5(forced), rc8+#?

[@shaantanunema3073]

black would simply capture the rook - ... b×c6!

[@cikonianiggra1415]

I think that it is difficult puzzle. Thank you.

[@wmw0702]

Why not b7 then Rc8 checkmate?

[@vijaysinghparihar2551]

Just puah the pawn on b7 next move be mate🤔

[@keiraaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

1. b7, only legal move for black is d5, 2. Rc8+, blacks king must move to c7, then you can play bxa8 and promote to Knight for check and i believe mate. I will now watch the video and find that im probably wrong.

[@keiraaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

wow rare moment where i miss a pawn capture

[@udaykiranp7566]

P B7 & R C8 over

[@1956per]

B7,D5 RC8 mate

[@georgeritmeester4736]

You need to focus when you're calculating. It's easy to overlook simple moves.

[@helper1767]

move pawn to b7 and then rook to c8 game over

[@roloa7741]

No, P takes R! But… Rc3 first, then it works 👍🏼

[@johnl.9039]

r-d6 ; p-b6 check; k-b6 GAme over. it doesnt materr what black does thy mayt try to -protect p w/ r-a7 then white counters by doing an end around as it were with r--f6 then r-f8 mate or if black tries to get the white pawn on d-4 then rook tkes pawn on d7n same deal net move mate.

[@suffpapst]

I needed 3 seconds ... Tc8 Kc8 b7+ Kb8 d5 (German notation)

[@gamal01]

Nice , question, why a Bishop and not a Queen when promoted, any particular reason?

[@chessperson]

It would be a stalemate

[@gamal01]

@@chessperson aaah thank you, a case where the strongest piece isn't the best piece for the situation 🤝🏾

[@Wyti]

The sound effects are not necessaryy

[@youtubing3774]

You have to show a little why the white can't have a horse after bxa.

[@sbjmsbjm]

After Kb8, the knight is lost - the black king takes on c7 and the a pawn takes on b6

[@georgeritmeester4736]

The knight would be trapped, after which Black is not only no longer losing, but is winning.

[@youtubing3774]

@@sbjmsbjm I know this, sure, but I mean he tells very briefly. He should point these versions for his viewers. Some people don't even understand why the white can't have a queen or a rook at a8.

[@erikmeyer2323]

So the problem posed is: "Can you promote the Pawn?", not "Can you win for White?". To promote the WHITE pawn (and eventually play to a stalemate) go Rc8 check. Black King takes. White to B7 check. Black King to B8. P takes rook at A8 and promotes to Queen. DONE!!!. But then, of course, Black King takes "Queen For A Day Marguerite" and we are back into a long descent into the first mistake. If the end of the end of the end game is played correctly by black, the problem can be solved TWICE with a similar lackluster result and a long descent once again into stalemate.

[@Chico7Siu]

Why to promote when you have checkmate in 2 lol

[@yousafzai2406]

Why promote a pawn to other pieces like bishop or knight when you can promote it to the queen?

[@XJoschYZ]

TBH Rc8+ seems obvious actually with this limited material and the easyly spotable Zugzwang.

[@XJoschYZ]

Also obviously Queen Promotion is a blunder because that would just draw.

[@babulah8447]

Why not push the white pawn to b7. Black has one move pawn to d5. b7 takes Ra8. Promotes to queen. Black kb8 must take queen. Rc8 is check mate.

[@georgeritmeester4736]

It's surprising how many commenters think that ...d6-d5 is forced after b6-b7.

[@babulah8447]

@@georgeritmeester4736 hmmm...I'll have to look again...can you give a novice a hint?

[@sbjmsbjm]

@@babulah8447 the rook is hanging... b7 is met by dxc6

[@babulah8447]

@@sbjmsbjm Thanks...it's so obvious now...

[@georgeritmeester4736]

@@babulah8447 There are very few pieces on the board, so check all of Black's legal moves after 1.b7. When you find it you'll know.

[@jamesharris9124]

Why don't you just push the pawn to b7 only one move available move for black is pawn to d5 and white move rook to c8 mate?

[@Adam-pu6jg]

Black has two moves after B7: D5 or xC6, and xC6 is a no brainer since Black captures White's rook!

[@davidg4595]

what can bishop do that queen cant? I understand sometime a KNIGHT may be better but a Bishop? Im pretty low rated -3 digits,

[@domo.sapien]

If you promote with a queen, none of black's pieces can move and it's a stalemate

[@georgeritmeester4736]

What it can do that the queen can't do is to avoid a stalemate, and what it can do that a knight can't is to not be immediately lost after the pawn promotion.

[@davidg4595]

@@domo.sapien Thank you-makes sense although Stalemates dont per se imo. if u trap a king where he cant move, you should win. Perhaps i cant think deep enough on it being a newbie.

[@ShafenBadar]

Rc8 kx b7+ Kb8 (kc7 or d8 loses to b7xa8=B) d5 kc7 forced b7xa8=B

[@georgeritmeester4736]

Your solution is not correct. You didn't calculate far enough.

[@ShafenBadar]

@@georgeritmeester4736 I was editing then closed the video and old solution is still visible

[@Garl_Vinland]

Why not a queen?