Chess Puzzle #BUd29 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1500 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king b3; pawns c2/c3/f5/g4/h3. Black: king c6; pawns b5/c5/f6/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd5 — king c6→d5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: c4+ — pawn c3→c4, gives check. Opponent replies bxc4+ (pawn b5→c4, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc3 — king b3→c3. Opponent replies Kd6 (king d5→d6).
  4. Best move: Kxc4 — king c3→c4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is c4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2k2p1p/1pp2Pp1/6P1/1KP4P/2P5/8 b - - 1 31

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