Chess Puzzle #LJ3HK — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2216 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move.

Position

White: king e4; pawns a3/c2/g4/h3. Black: king g3; pawns b5/c5/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxh3 — king g3→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: c4 — pawn c2→c4. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Opponent replies Kxg4 (king h3→g4, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, sacrifice. The key move is c4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/7p/1pp3p1/4K1P1/P5kP/2P5/8 b - - 1 39

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