Chess Puzzle #I5fCo — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1430 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king c2; pawns b3/g4/h3. Black: king b4; pawns b5/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ka3 — king b4→a3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kc3 — king c2→c3. Opponent replies Ka2 (king a3→a2).
  3. Best move: Kb4 — king c3→b4. Opponent replies Kb2 (king a2→b2).
  4. Best move: Kxb5 — king b4→b5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is Kc3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/7p/1p4p1/1k4P1/1P5P/2K5/8 b - - 4 49

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