Chess Puzzle #hIVSW — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2029 · Expert · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king c5; pawns b4/c3/e5/f4/h4. Black: king e6; pawns b5/c4/d5/f5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxd4 — king c5→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h6→h5).
  3. Best move: Kc5 — king d4→c5. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g6→g5).
  4. Best move: fxg5 — pawn f4→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f5→f4).
  5. Best move: Kd4 — king c5→d4. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f4→f3).
  6. Best move: Ke3 — king d4→e3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Kxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4k1pp/1pKpPp2/1Pp2P1P/2P5/8/8 b - - 1 43

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