Chess Puzzle #9MwN9 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2028 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king c2; pawns e3/f2/g3. Black: king c4; pawns e4/g4/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd5 — king c4→d5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kb3 — king c2→b3. Opponent replies Kc5 (king d5→c5).
  3. Best move: Kc3 — king b3→c3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move is Kb3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/6p1/2k1p1p1/4P1P1/2K2P2/8 b - - 1 57

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