Chess Puzzle #fdUZS — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1814 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; pawns b4/c3/d4/e5/g5/h4. Black: king d7; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc6 — king d7→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Opponent replies bxc4+ (pawn b5→c4, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxc4 — king d3→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kb6 (king c6→b6).
  4. Best move: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Opponent replies exd5+ (pawn e6→d5, captures pawn, gives check).
  5. Best move: Kxd5 — king c4→d5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move is c4.

Position data

FEN: 8/3k1p2/p3p1p1/1p2P1Pp/1P1P3P/2PK4/8/8 b - - 0 34

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