Chess Puzzle #Ewxu7 — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2302 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long.

Position

White: king c5; pawns a5/b4/f4. Black: king b7; pawns c6/e6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a6+ — pawn a5→a6, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kc7 — king b7→c7. Opponent replies a7 (pawn a6→a7).
  3. Best move: Kb7 — king c7→b7. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c5→d6).
  4. Best move: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Opponent replies a8=Q+ (pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen, gives check).
  5. Best move: Kxa8 — king b7→a8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is Kc7.

Position data

FEN: 8/1k6/2p1p3/P1K4p/1P3P2/8/8/8 w - - 0 48

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