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

Rating 1209 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king c3; pawns a4/e4/g4/h4. Black: king c5; pawns a5/e5/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc6 — king c5→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kc4 — king c3→c4. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c6→d6).
  3. Best move: Kb5 — king c4→b5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move is Kc4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6pp/p1k1p3/P3P1PP/2K5/8/8 b - - 0 40

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