Chess Puzzle #9b8jz — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d3; pawns a3/e3. Black: king c7; pawns f3/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (8 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e4 — pawn e3→e4. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c7→d6).
3. Best move: Ke3 — king d3→e3. Opponent replies f2 (pawn f3→f2).
4. Best move: Kxf2 — king e3→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke5 (king d6→e5).
5. Best move: Kf3 — king f2→f3. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h5→h4).
6. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Opponent replies h3 (pawn h4→h3).
7. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies h2 (pawn h3→h2).
8. Best move: Kg2 — king f3→g2. Opponent replies h1=Q+ (pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen, gives check).
9. Best move: Kxh1 — king g2→h1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is e4.

Position data

FEN: 8/2k4p/8/8/8/P2KPp2/8/8 b - - 1 44

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.