Chess Puzzle #CHDz4 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1538 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move.

Position

White: king f2; pawns b3/b4/c4/d5. Black: king d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/h3. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc3 — king d4→c3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Opponent replies h2 (pawn h3→h2).
  3. Best move: Kg2 — king f2→g2. Opponent replies h1=Q+ (pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxh1 — king g2→h1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move. The key move is c5.

Position data

FEN: 8/ppp5/8/3P4/1PPk4/1P5p/5K2/8 b - - 0 39

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