Chess Puzzle #12kUF — Advanced, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1777 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e4; pawns a3/b2/g5/h5. Black: king c4; pawns a5/b3/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: gxh6 — pawn g7→h6, captures pawn. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g5→h6, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move gxh6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pp/8/p5PP/2k1K3/Pp6/1P6/8 w - - 0 41

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