Chess Puzzle #3aKio — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2300 · Expert · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king a6; pawns a5/f2/g3/h4. Black: king c7; pawns f4/f6/g5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: gxh4 — pawn g5→h4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: gxh4 — pawn g3→h4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kc6 (king c7→c6).
  3. Best move: f3 — pawn f2→f3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move gxh4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/2k5/K4p2/P5pp/5p1P/6P1/5P2/8 b - - 3 48

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