Chess Puzzle #R1RJB — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2244 · Expert · crushing, deflection, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d4; pawns b3/c4/f4/g3/h4. Black: king d6; pawns a5/b6/f5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc3 — king d4→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kc5 — king d6→c5. Opponent replies Kc2 (king c3→c2).
  3. Best move: Kb4 — king c5→b4. Opponent replies Kb2 (king c2→b2).
  4. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies bxa4 (pawn b3→a4, captures pawn).
  5. Best move: Kxc4 — king b4→c4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move is Kc5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1p1k2p1/p4p1p/2PK1P1P/1P4P1/8/8 w - - 0 36

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

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