Chess Puzzle #E09Io — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2266 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e2; pawns a4/c2/h4. Black: king c4; pawns a5/d4/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd2 — king e2→d2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d2→e2).
  3. Best move: Kc3 — king c4→c3. Opponent replies Kd1 (king e2→d1).
  4. Best move: Kb4 — king c3→b4.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/8/p7/P1kp3P/8/2P1K3/8 w - - 0 44

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