Chess Puzzle #0b4tG — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; pawns a3/b3/c3/e5/g4/h3. Black: king e6; pawns a5/b5/c5/f7/g5/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b3→c4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e4→d3).
4. Best move: Kxe5 — king e6→e5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move bxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/4k3/ppp1P1p1/4K1Pp/PPP4P/8/8 w - - 0 37

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