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

Rating 2696 · Master · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king b3; pawns e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e5; pawns e4/f4/g5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc4 — king b3→c4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Opponent replies exf4+ (pawn e3→f4, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: gxf4 — pawn g5→f4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kc3 (king c4→c3).
  4. Best move: Kd5 — king e5→d5. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f2→f3).
  5. Best move: e3 — pawn e4→e3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is h4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/4k1pp/4pp2/1K2P2P/5PP1/8 w - - 0 48

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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