Chess Puzzle #PYshD — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2774 · Master · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a4/b4/f3/g3/h3. Black: king d5; pawns a6/e5/f5/g5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: g4 — pawn g3→g4. Opponent replies hxg4 (pawn h5→g4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: hxg4 — pawn h3→g4, captures pawn. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f5→f4).
  4. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d5→c6).
  5. Best move: Ke4 — king d3→e4. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c6→d6).
  6. Best move: Kf5 — king e4→f5. Opponent replies Kd5 (king d6→d5).
  7. Best move: Kxg5 — king f5→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd4 (king d5→d4).
  8. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is g4.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/p7/3kppp1/PP6/3K1PPP/8/8 b - - 0 35

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