Chess Puzzle #1O88J — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1398 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king e3; pawns a4/b5/g3. Black: king e5; pawns b6/g4/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf5 — king e5→f5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies bxa5 (pawn b6→a5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1p6/1P2k2p/P5p1/4K1P1/8/8 b - - 0 45

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