Chess Puzzle #6An9O — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2389 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang.

Position

White: king f5; pawns a4/b4/c4/f6/g4. Black: king d6; pawns a7/b6/c6/f7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: c5 — pawn c6→c5. Opponent replies Kf4 (king f5→f4).
  3. Best move: Ke6 — king d6→e6. Opponent replies Ke4 (king f4→e4).
  4. Best move: Kxf6 — king e6→f6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move is c5.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4p2/1ppk1P1p/5K2/PPP3P1/8/8/8 w - - 3 37

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