Chess Puzzle #35AT6 — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2321 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king f4; pawns a4/b3/c3/h2. Black: king c5; pawns a7/e4/f5/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h2→h3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kd5 — king c5→d5. Opponent replies Ke3 (king f4→e3).
  3. Best move: Ke5 — king d5→e5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move is Kd5.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/8/2k2p2/P3pK1p/1PP5/7P/8 w - - 1 36

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