Chess Puzzle #22Iet — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2130 · Expert · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e4; pawns a3/c3/c4. Black: king e6; pawns b6/c5/d6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd7 — king e6→d7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kd5 — king e4→d5. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d7→c7).
  3. Best move: Ke6 — king d5→e6. Opponent replies Kc6 (king c7→c6).
  4. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c6→c7).
  5. Best move: Ke7 — king e6→e7.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is Kd5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1p1pk3/2p5/2P1K3/P1P5/8/8 b - - 0 42

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