Chess Puzzle #287IK — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2252 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a5/b6/e4/f3/h3. Black: king c6; pawns a6/c5/e5/f6/g5/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kb7 — king c6→b7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kc3 — king d3→c3. Opponent replies Kc6 (king b7→c6).
  3. Best move: Kc4 — king c3→c4. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f6→f5).
  4. Best move: exf5 — pawn e4→f5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is Kc3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/pPk2p2/P1p1p1p1/4P2p/3K1P1P/8/8 b - - 1 37

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