Chess Puzzle #Knpx8 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1546 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, deflection, endgame, long, pawn endgame.

Position

White: king a6; pawns a3/d4/f3/g4/h3. Black: king c6; pawns b5/e6/f6/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: e5 — pawn e6→e5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: d5+ — pawn d4→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd5 (king c6→d5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Kxb5 — king a6→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd4 (king d5→d4).
  4. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, deflection, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move is d5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/K1k1pp1p/1p4p1/3P2P1/P4P1P/8/8 b - - 1 37

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