Chess Puzzle #UtZpC — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2156 · Expert · crushing, endgame, master, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d2; pawns a4/b3/c4/d5/h4. Black: king e5; pawns a5/b6/c5/e4/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd6 — king e5→d6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ke2 — king d2→e2. Opponent replies Ke5 (king d6→e5).
  3. Best move: Ke3 — king e2→e3. Opponent replies Kf5 (king e5→f5).
  4. Best move: d6 — pawn d5→d6. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f5→e6).
  5. Best move: Kxe4 — king e3→e4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move is Ke2.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1p6/p1pPk2p/P1P1p2P/1P6/3K4/8 b - - 3 43

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