Chess Puzzle #UUBPo — Master, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2573 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king c3; pawns d4/e3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king a5; pawns a4/e6/f5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Opponent replies gxh4 (pawn g3→h4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Kb5 — king a5→b5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move is h4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4p1p1/k4p1p/p2P1P2/2K1P2P/6P1/8 w - - 0 36

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