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

Position

White: king g4; pawns g3/h2. Black: king c7; pawns f6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (8 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd6 — king c7→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kf5 — king g4→f5. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d6→e7).
3. Best move: Kg6 — king f5→g6. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e7→f8).
4. Best move: h4 — pawn h2→h4. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
5. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
6. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g7→h6, captures pawn).
7. Best move: Kxf6 — king g6→f6, captures pawn. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h6→h5).
8. Best move: Kg5 — king f6→g5. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
9. Best move: Kxh5 — king g5→h5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is Kf5.

Position data

FEN: 8/2k3p1/5p2/8/6K1/6P1/7P/8 b - - 1 55

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.