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

Position

White: king d6; pawns a2/c5. Black: king d2; pawns a5/b7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kc7 — king d6→c7. Opponent replies Kc3 (king d2→c3).
3. Best move: Kxb7 — king c7→b7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kb2 (king c3→b2).
4. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
5. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7. Opponent replies Kxa2 (king b2→a2, captures pawn).
6. Best move: c8=Q — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Kb2 (king a2→b2).
7. Best move: Qh8+ — queen c8→h8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, promotion, very long. The key move is Kc7.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p6/3K4/p1P5/8/8/P2k4/8 b - - 0 49

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.