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

Rating 2191 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king b4; pawns b3/e5/g2/h3. Black: king c6; pawns a6/d5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd7 — king c6→d7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kc5 — king b4→c5. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d7→e6).
  3. Best move: Kd4 — king c5→d4. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g6→g5).
  4. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is Kc5.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/p1k3p1/3pP3/1K6/1P5P/6P1/8 b - - 0 38

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