The running face of a compression piston ring also having an inner circumferential surface, and upper and lower flank surfaces interposed between the running face and the inner circumferential surface is provided, in a region thereof adjacent the lower flank, with a first taper of less than 30′, having an axial height of 10 to 30%, based on the total running face height (H), the first taper transitioning into a second taper extending in the direction toward the upper flank surface, which is between 90′ and 200′, and the running face is also provided with a thin wear-resistant layer having a thickness from 0.1 to less than 20 μm, and in particular 4 to 6 μm.