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

Rating 2352 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d4; pawns c5/f4/g4/h3. Black: king c6; pawns d5/f6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f4→f5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: gxf5 — pawn g6→f5, captures pawn. Opponent replies gxf5 (pawn g4→f5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: h6 — pawn h7→h6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move gxf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/2k2pp1/2Pp4/3K1PP1/7P/8/8 w - - 0 50

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