Chess Puzzle #0OCQF — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king h2; pawns a5/b4/c4. Black: king a7; pawns f3/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (9 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king h2→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: h3 — pawn h4→h3. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b4→b5).
3. Best move: Kb7 — king a7→b7. Opponent replies a6+ (pawn a5→a6, gives check).
4. Best move: Kb6 — king b7→b6. Opponent replies c5+ (pawn c4→c5, gives check).
5. Best move: Ka7 — king b6→a7. Opponent replies c6 (pawn c5→c6).
6. Best move: Kb6 — king a7→b6. Opponent replies c7 (pawn c6→c7).
7. Best move: Kxc7 — king b6→c7, captures pawn. Opponent replies a7 (pawn a6→a7).
8. Best move: Kb7 — king c7→b7. Opponent replies b6 (pawn b5→b6).
9. Best move: Ka8 — king b7→a8. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
10. Best move: f2 — pawn f3→f2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move is h3.

Position data

FEN: 8/k7/8/P7/1PP4p/5p2/7K/8 w - - 3 49

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