Chess Puzzle #MBTIn — Master, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king b1; pawns a2/b3/f4/h4. Black: king a3; pawns a5/f5/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc2 — king b1→c2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kxa2 — king a3→a2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kc3 (king c2→c3).
3. Best move: Kb1 — king a2→b1. Opponent replies Kc4 (king c3→c4).
4. Best move: Kc2 — king b1→c2. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b3→b4).
5. Best move: axb4 — pawn a5→b4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Kxa2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/p4p1p/5P1P/kP6/P7/1K6 w - - 0 42

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.