Chess Puzzle #VKDs0 — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2445 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d4; pawns e3/h2. Black: king b6; pawns f4/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f4→f3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kd3 — king d4→d3. Opponent replies Kc5 (king b6→c5).
  3. Best move: Kd2 — king d3→d2. Opponent replies Kd5 (king c5→d5).
  4. Best move: Ke1 — king d2→e1. Opponent replies Ke5 (king d5→e5).
  5. Best move: Kf2 — king e1→f2. Opponent replies Ke4 (king e5→e4).
  6. Best move: h4 — pawn h2→h4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move is Kd3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1k6/7p/3K1p2/4P3/7P/8 b - - 0 43

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