Chess Puzzle #71sZb — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Rating 1659 · Advanced · defensive move, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, pawn endgame.

Position

White: king e4; pawns g3/h3. Black: king g5; pawns g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh5 — king g5→h5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kf4 — king e4→f4. Opponent replies g5+ (pawn g6→g5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kf5 — king f4→f5. Opponent replies g4 (pawn g5→g4).
  4. Best move: hxg4# — pawn h3→g4, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The combination ends with hxg4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6pp/6k1/4K3/6PP/8/8 b - - 1 44

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