Chess Puzzle #1CuyN — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1595 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king f3; pawns a4/b3/e3/g4/h4. Black: king e5; pawns a5/b6/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g4→g5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: hxg5 — pawn h6→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies hxg5 (pawn h4→g5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Kf5 — king e5→f5. Opponent replies e4+ (pawn e3→e4, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxg5 — king f5→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b3→b4).
  5. Best move: axb4 — pawn a5→b4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move hxg5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1p4pp/p3k3/P5PP/1P2PK2/8/8 w - - 0 45

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