Chess Puzzle #SaRMK — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Rating 1886 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; pawns b4/c4/f4/h4. Black: king e6; pawns a6/b5/f5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc4+ — pawn b5→c4, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxc4 — king d3→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e6→d6).
  3. Best move: Kd4 — king c4→d4. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d6→c6).
  4. Best move: Ke5 — king d4→e5. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c6→b5).
  5. Best move: Kxf5 — king e5→f5, captures pawn. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a6→a5).
  6. Best move: bxa5 — pawn b4→a5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Kxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p3k3/1p3p1p/1PP2P1P/3K4/8/8 b - - 0 46

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