Chess Puzzle #aLh1g — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2681 · Master · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king b3; pawns b4/e3/f2/g2/g5. Black: king d5; pawns b5/e4/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke5 — king d5→e5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kc3 — king b3→c3. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f5→f4).
  3. Best move: exf4+ — pawn e3→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf4 (king e5→f4, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Kd4 — king c3→d4. Opponent replies Kxg5 (king f4→g5, captures pawn).
  5. Best move: Kc5 — king d4→c5. Opponent replies e3 (pawn e4→e3).
  6. Best move: fxe3 — pawn f2→e3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move exf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/6p1/1p1k1pP1/1P2p3/1K2P3/5PP1/8 b - - 2 39

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