Chess Puzzle #3YDUI — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1242 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king b4; pawns a3/d4/f4/g5. Black: king b6; pawns b3/b5/d5/f5/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxb3 — king b4→b3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ka5 — king b6→a5. Opponent replies Ka2 (king b3→a2).
  3. Best move: Ka4 — king a5→a4. Opponent replies Kb2 (king a2→b2).
  4. Best move: b4 — pawn b5→b4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is Ka5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1k4p1/1p1p1pP1/1K1P1P2/Pp6/8/8 w - - 0 42

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