Chess Puzzle #Meg86 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2265 · Expert · crushing, endgame, master, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long.

Position

White: king b3; pawns a3/c4/f4/g2/h3. Black: king b7; pawns b6/c5/f5/g6/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ka6 — king b7→a6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ka4 — king b3→a4. Opponent replies Kb7 (king a6→b7).
  3. Best move: Kb5 — king a4→b5. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b7→a7).
  4. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Opponent replies Kb7 (king a7→b7).
  5. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies bxa5 (pawn b6→a5, captures pawn).
  6. Best move: Kxa5 — king b5→a5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is Ka4.

Position data

FEN: 8/1k6/1p4p1/2p2p2/2P2P1p/PK5P/6P1/8 b - - 4 41

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

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