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

Rating 1456 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short.

Position

White: king b4; pawns a4/c4/f3/g4/h2. Black: king f4; pawns a6/b6/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxf3 — king f4→f3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies bxa5+ (pawn b6→a5, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxa5 — king b4→a5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pp/pp3p2/8/PKP2kP1/5P2/7P/8 b - - 0 31

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