Chess Puzzle #9oFWU — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2064 · Expert · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king g3; pawns a2/b3/c3/f4. Black: king e4; pawns a5/c5/f5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ke3 — king e4→e3. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a2→a3).
  3. Best move: Ke4 — king e3→e4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move is Ke3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/p1p2p2/4kP2/1PP3K1/P7/8 w - - 0 35

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