Chess Puzzle #IlcnR — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Rating 1623 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang.

Position

White: king c4; pawns a3/b3. Black: king b6; pawns a5/c5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc6 — king b6→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c6→d6).
  3. Best move: Kb5 — king c4→b5. Opponent replies c4 (pawn c5→c4).
  4. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move is a4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1k6/p1p5/2K5/PP6/8/8 b - - 0 56

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