Chess Puzzle #8xVL0 — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Rating 1974 · Advanced · defensive move, endgame, equality, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king a2. Black: king b4; pawn b6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b6→b5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kb2 — king a2→b2. Opponent replies Ka4 (king b4→a4).
  3. Best move: Ka2 — king b2→a2. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b5→b4).
  4. Best move: Kb2 — king a2→b2. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
  5. Best move: Kb1 — king b2→b1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move is Kb2.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1p6/8/1k6/8/K7/8 b - - 4 59

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