Chess Puzzle #zxoB8 — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king b3; pawns a3/f4/h2. Black: king a5; pawns b6/f5/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h2→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: b5 — pawn b6→b5. Opponent replies Ka2 (king b3→a2).
3. Best move: Ka4 — king a5→a4. Opponent replies Kb2 (king a2→b2).
4. Best move: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a3→b4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Kxb4 — king a4→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kc2 (king b2→c2).
6. Best move: Kc4 — king b4→c4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is b5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1p6/k4p2/5P1p/PK6/7P/8 w - - 0 39

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.