Chess Puzzle #yM4YY — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2236 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; pawns b4/c5/f3/g3/h3. Black: king d5; pawns b7/c6/e5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: h4 — pawn h3→h4. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d5→e6).
  3. Best move: Ke4 — king d3→e4. Opponent replies Kf6 (king e6→f6).
  4. Best move: g4 — pawn g3→g4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move is h4.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p5p/2p3p1/2Pkp3/1P6/3K1PPP/8/8 b - - 0 40

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