Chess Puzzle #xPsTK — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2344 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d2; pawns e5/f4/g3/h4. Black: king c4; pawns e6/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke3 — king d2→e3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kc3 — king c4→c3. Opponent replies Ke2 (king e3→e2).
  3. Best move: Kc2 — king c3→c2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move is Kc3.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/4p1p1/4P2p/2k2P1P/6P1/3K4/8 w - - 0 45

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.