This is from Arthur Kendall – Harvey Li (Sussex University Masters R3 21 July 2026), with Black to move.

Let’s take it slowly.

40… b5??

Black had one winning plan here: 40… bxc5! 41. bxc5 fxe4! 42. fxe4 h5! (Kf6 also works).

41. Kg3?

White had two winning moves here: 41. f4+! and 41. h4! If Black takes this, the white king will be able to capture both h-pawns.

41… h5?

There was a draw here: 41… fxe4! 42. fxe4 h5!

42. h4?

The final, and most interesting miss, and the main reason why I posted this puzzle. The winning plan is 42. exf5! exf5 43. f4+! gxf4 and now 44. Kf3? is only a draw, but 44. Kf2! or Kg2! both win due to zugzwang.

42… g4 and the game was drawn a few moves later.

Here were two very strong players, no doubt with very little time on the clock, together making four consecutive errors in what looked like a simple pawn ending.

Endings are important. Chess is hard. Play out the variations for yourself to make sure you understand them. Practise playing pawn endings (and rook endings) yourself.

I’m sure I wouldn’t have done any better. Would you?