Chess Puzzle #1Izwt — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; pawns a4/b3/d3/g4/h3. Black: king f4; pawns a5/b6/c5/d4/g5/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c5→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke5 (king f4→e5).
3. Best move: Kf3 — king f2→f3. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e5→d6).
4. Best move: Ke4 — king f3→e4. Opponent replies Kc5 (king d6→c5).
5. Best move: Ke5 — king e4→e5. Opponent replies Kb4 (king c5→b4).
6. Best move: Kxd4 — king e5→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxa4 (king b4→a4, captures pawn).
7. Best move: Kc3 — king d4→c3. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b6→b5).
8. Best move: d4 — pawn d3→d4.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1p4p1/p1p3p1/P2p1kP1/1P1P3P/5K2/8 b - - 1 40

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