Chess Puzzle #4ev4p — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2367 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame.

Position

White: king d4; pawns a4/b4/e4/f4/h4. Black: king d6; pawns a6/b6/c6/f6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke6 — king d6→e6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies bxa5 (pawn b6→a5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: bxa5 — pawn b4→a5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e6→d6).
  4. Best move: Kc3 — king d4→c3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/pppk1p2/7p/PP1KPP1P/8/8/8 b - - 0 29

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