Chess Puzzle #Wr4w9 — Master, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2568 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long.

Position

White: king d2; pawns a2/b2/f3/h2. Black: king d4; pawns a4/b5/d3/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b2→b3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b3→b4).
  3. Best move: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Opponent replies h3 (pawn h2→h3).
  4. Best move: Kc4 — king d4→c4. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f3→f4).
  5. Best move: Kxb4 — king c4→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxd3 (king d2→d3, captures pawn).
  6. Best move: Kc5 — king b4→c5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is a3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/1p5p/p2k4/3p1P2/PP1K3P/8 w - - 6 53

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