Chess Puzzle #hQVQ9 — Master, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2480 · Master · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long.

Position

White: king d3; pawns a3/b3/e4/f4. Black: king c5; pawns a5/b5/f7/g4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke3 — king d3→e3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies bxa4 (pawn b3→a4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f4→f5).
  4. Best move: g3 — pawn g4→g3. Opponent replies Kf3 (king e3→f3).
  5. Best move: Kd4 — king c5→d4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move is a4.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/8/ppk5/4PPp1/PP1K4/8/8 w - - 0 43

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