Chess Puzzle #MvS3e — Master, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2618 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, very long.

Position

White: king e4; pawns a5/b4/f3/h3. Black: king e6; pawns a6/b5/e5/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: exf4 — pawn e5→f4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxf4 (king e4→f4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Kd5 — king e6→d5. Opponent replies Kg4 (king f4→g4).
  4. Best move: Kc4 — king d5→c4. Opponent replies Kxh4 (king g4→h4, captures pawn).
  5. Best move: Kxb4 — king c4→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kg5 (king h4→g5).
  6. Best move: Kc5 — king b4→c5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move exf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p3k3/Pp2p3/1P2K2p/5P1P/8/8 w - - 4 42

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