Chess Puzzle #23HB8 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1501 · Intermediate · defensive move, endgame, equality, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king f3; pawns g3/h4. Black: king h6; pawns f5/g5/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g4+ — pawn g5→g4, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kf4 — king f3→f4. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h6→g6).
  3. Best move: Ke5 — king f4→e5. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f5→f4).
  4. Best move: Kxf4 — king e5→f4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is Kf4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/7k/5ppp/7P/5KP1/8/8 b - - 0 51

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