Chess Puzzle #1CyBB — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king f1; pawns b4/c4/g2/h3. Black: king g3; pawns a5/b6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxa5 — pawn b4→a5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: bxa5 — pawn b6→a5, captures pawn. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c4→c5).
3. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies c6 (pawn c5→c6).
4. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies c7 (pawn c6→c7).
5. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Opponent replies c8=Q (pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen).
6. Best move: a1=Q+ — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, pawn endgame, promotion, quiet move, very long. The key move bxa5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/1p5p/p7/1PP5/6kP/6P1/5K2 w - - 0 38

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