Chess Puzzle #0CcbS — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2006 · Expert · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; pawns b2/b3/d4/f2/h3. Black: king d5; pawns a5/b5/f4/g5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f2→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d3→e2).
  3. Best move: Kxd4 — king d5→d4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, short, zugzwang. The key move is b4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/pp1k2pp/3P1p2/1P1K3P/1P3P2/8 w - - 0 36

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