Chess Puzzle #Mj4UB — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king c5; pawns a4/b3/g4. Black: king e5; pawns a5/c6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxc6 — king c5→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: h5 — pawn h6→h5. Opponent replies gxh5 (pawn g4→h5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: g4 — pawn g5→g4. Opponent replies h6 (pawn h5→h6).
4. Best move: Kf6 — king e5→f6. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b3→b4).
5. Best move: g3 — pawn g4→g3. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b4→b5).
6. Best move: g2 — pawn g3→g2. Opponent replies h7 (pawn h6→h7).
7. Best move: Kg7 — king f6→g7. Opponent replies b6 (pawn b5→b6).
8. Best move: g1=Q — pawn g2→g1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, promotion, quiet move, very long. The key move is h5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2p4p/p1K1k1p1/P5P1/1P6/8/8 w - - 1 45

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