Chess Puzzle #babA8 — Advanced, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1899 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king b4; pawns a3/f3/g4. Black: king c6; pawns b5/f6/g5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ka5 — king b4→a5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kc5 — king c6→c5. Opponent replies Ka6 (king a5→a6).
  3. Best move: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Opponent replies axb4+ (pawn a3→b4, captures pawn, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxb4 — king c5→b4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is Kc5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2k2p2/1p4p1/1K4P1/P4P2/8/8 w - - 1 44

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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