Chess Puzzle #zCDyl — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2758 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, long, pawn endgame.

Position

White: king e4; pawns a5/b3/c4/d5/f3/h4. Black: king g6; pawns a6/b7/c5/d6/f7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king g6→f6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Opponent replies Kg6 (king f6→g6).
  3. Best move: f5+ — pawn f4→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g6→g7).
  4. Best move: Ke3 — king e4→e3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move is f4.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3p2/p2p2k1/P1pP3p/2P1K2P/1P3P2/8/8 b - - 2 50

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