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

Rating 1877 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a3/b3/c4/g2/h2. Black: king e5; pawns a6/c6/d6/f4/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c6→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c5→b4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies d5 (pawn d6→d5).
  4. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is b4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p1pp4/4k3/2P2p1p/PP1K4/6PP/8 b - - 0 36

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