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

Rating 1937 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a4/c3/f4/g5/h4. Black: king c5; pawns a5/d5/e6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd6 — king c5→d6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kd4 — king d3→d4. Opponent replies Kd7 (king d6→d7).
  3. Best move: Kc5 — king d4→c5. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d7→c7).
  4. Best move: Kb5 — king c5→b5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is Kd4.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/4p1p1/p1kp2P1/P4P1P/2PK4/8/8 b - - 0 33

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