Chess Puzzle #8AtKj — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1549 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e3; pawns a3/b4/h3. Black: king e5; pawns a6/b5/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf5 — king e5→f5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kf3 — king e3→f3. Opponent replies Ke5 (king f5→e5).
  3. Best move: Kg4 — king f3→g4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move is Kf3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p7/1p2k3/1P5p/P3K2P/8/8 b - - 1 41

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