Chess Puzzle #mxu9Z — Master, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2532 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame.

Position

White: king f4; pawns c3/d4/g4/h2. Black: king d5; pawns b4/c4/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: c3 — pawn c4→c3. Opponent replies Ke3 (king f4→e3).
  3. Best move: Kc4 — king d5→c4. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b4→b5).
  4. Best move: Kb3 — king c4→b3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move is c3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/7p/3k4/1ppP1KP1/2P5/7P/8 w - - 0 44

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