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

Rating 1500 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a3/b4/f4/g3/h4. Black: king d5; pawns a6/b5/f5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd6 — king d5→d6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kd4 — king d3→d4. Opponent replies Kd7 (king d6→d7).
  3. Best move: Kd5 — king d4→d5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move is Kd4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p5p1/1p1k1p1p/1P3P1P/P2K2P1/8/8 b - - 2 54

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