Chess Puzzle #9EUev — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2028 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long.

Position

White: king c3; pawns b4/e4/f3/g4/h2. Black: king b5; pawns b7/e5/f6/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ka4 — king b5→a4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kc4 — king c3→c4. Opponent replies b6 (pawn b7→b6).
  3. Best move: h3 — pawn h2→h3. Opponent replies b5+ (pawn b6→b5, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kc5 — king c4→c5. Opponent replies Kb3 (king a4→b3).
  5. Best move: Kxb5 — king c5→b5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is Kc4.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p6/5p1p/1k2p1p1/1P2P1P1/2K2P2/7P/8 b - - 1 39

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