Chess Puzzle #5b3fE — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2333 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d2; pawns b2/c3/f3/g5/h4. Black: king b5; pawns b4/c4/f4/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc2 — king d2→c2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ka4 — king b5→a4. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c2→d2).
  3. Best move: Kb3 — king a4→b3. Opponent replies Kc1 (king d2→c1).
  4. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b4→c3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is Ka4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6p1/1k4Pp/1pp2p1P/2P2P2/1P1K4/8 w - - 2 54

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