Chess Puzzle #E6h0B — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2542 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame.

Position

White: king g1; pawns a3/c4/d4/f3/h2. Black: king g7; pawns a7/b6/e6/f5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b6→c5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: dxc5 — pawn d4→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g7→f7).
  4. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/p5k1/1p2p2p/5p2/2PP4/P4P2/7P/6K1 b - - 0 35

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