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

Rating 2717 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame.

Position

White: king e4; pawns b4/c4/d5/h2/h4. Black: king e7; pawns a7/b6/f6/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd6 — king e7→d6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies f5+ (pawn f6→f5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kf4 — king e4→f4. Opponent replies gxh5 (pawn g6→h5, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move is h5.

Position data

FEN: 8/p3k3/1p3ppp/3P4/1PP1K2P/8/7P/8 b - - 0 39

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.