Chess Puzzle #dc3AD — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2341 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e4; pawns a2/b3/c2/g4/h5. Black: king e6; pawns a6/b5/c5/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g6→g5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b5→b4).
  3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e6→d6).
  4. Best move: Kf5 — king e4→f5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move is a4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p3k1pp/1pp4P/4K1P1/1P6/P1P5/8 b - - 0 35

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