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

Rating 2215 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang.

Position

White: king f2; pawns a3/b2/c3/d4/g4. Black: king e4; pawns a5/b5/g5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg3 — king f2→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g3→g2).
  3. Best move: Kf4 — king e4→f4. Opponent replies d5 (pawn d4→d5).
  4. Best move: Ke5 — king f4→e5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move is a4.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/8/pp4p1/3Pk1P1/P1P5/1P3K2/8 w - - 0 47

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