Chess Puzzle #8lU7C — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2660 · Master · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king c3; pawns e4/f3/g4. Black: king b5; pawns c4/f7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc5 — king b5→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: g5 — pawn g4→g5. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c5→d6).
  3. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Opponent replies Kc5 (king d6→c5).
  4. Best move: f5 — pawn f4→f5. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c5→d6).
  5. Best move: Kd4 — king c3→d4. Opponent replies c3 (pawn c4→c3).
  6. Best move: e5+ — pawn e4→e5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is g5.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pp1/8/1k6/2p1P1P1/2K2P2/8/8 b - - 0 43

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