Chess Puzzle #BDdO0 — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2221 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e3; pawns a3/b4/f2/h3. Black: king e5; pawns a6/b5/f4/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf3 — king e3→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: h5 — pawn h6→h5. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f3→e2).
  3. Best move: Ke4 — king e5→e4. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h3→h4).
  4. Best move: f3+ — pawn f4→f3, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move is h5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p6p/1p2k3/1P3p2/P3K2P/5P2/8 w - - 0 41

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