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

Rating 2133 · Expert · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long.

Position

White: king e4; pawns a5/b5/d5/g2. Black: king h5; pawns a7/b7/c7/g5/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g4 — pawn g5→g4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: axb6 — pawn a5→b6, captures pawn. Opponent replies h3 (pawn h4→h3).
  4. Best move: gxh3 — pawn g2→h3, captures pawn. Opponent replies gxh3 (pawn g4→h3, captures pawn).
  5. Best move: Kf3 — king e4→f3. Opponent replies h2 (pawn h3→h2).
  6. Best move: Kg2 — king f3→g2. Opponent replies h1=Q+ (pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen, gives check).
  7. Best move: Kxh1 — king g2→h1, captures queen. Opponent replies cxb6 (pawn c7→b6, captures pawn).
  8. Best move: d6 — pawn d5→d6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move is b6.

Position data

FEN: 8/ppp5/8/PP1P2pk/4K2p/8/6P1/8 b - - 0 38

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