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

Rating 2615 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e2; pawns a3/b3/c3/g3/h3. Black: king e4; pawns a5/b5/c5/f4/g5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: gxf4 — pawn g3→f4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kxf4 — king e4→f4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kf2 (king e2→f2).
  3. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b3→b4).
  4. Best move: c4 — pawn c5→c4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move Kxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/ppp3p1/4kp2/PPP3PP/4K3/8 w - - 0 36

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