Chess Puzzle #HUGJ2 — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2542 · Master · crushing, defensive move, deflection, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move.

Position

White: king d5; pawns a3/b5/f5/h3. Black: king e7; pawns b6/c5/f6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf7 — king e7→f7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
  3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies bxa5 (pawn b6→a5, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Kxc5 — king d5→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e7→d7).
  5. Best move: Kc4 — king c5→c4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, deflection, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is a4.

Position data

FEN: 8/4k1p1/1p3p2/1PpK1P2/8/P6P/8/8 b - - 2 36

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