Chess Puzzle #noLHw — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2506 · Master · crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e3; pawns b2/c3/f5/g3/h4. Black: king d6; pawns a4/c4/e5/f6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke7 — king d6→e7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kf3 — king e3→f3. Opponent replies Ke8 (king e7→e8).
  3. Best move: Ke4 — king f3→e4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move is Kf3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/3k1p2/4pP1p/p1p4P/2P1K1P1/1P6/8 b - - 4 48

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