Chess Puzzle #sDtQs — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2392 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, deflection, endgame, long, pawn endgame.

Position

White: king e4; pawns a4/c4/f3/g4/h4. Black: king e6; pawns a5/c6/e5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd6 — king e6→d6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: c5+ — pawn c4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc5 (king d6→c5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Kxe5 — king e4→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kb4 (king c5→b4).
  4. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, deflection, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move is c5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/2p1k1p1/p3p3/P1P1K1PP/5P2/8/8 b - - 0 32

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.