Chess Puzzle #1o8Nl — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; pawns a3/b4/c4/e4/e5/g5/h4. Black: king e6; pawns a6/b6/c5/f7/g6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc5 — pawn b4→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: bxc5 — pawn b6→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a3→a4).
3. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Opponent replies Ke3 (king f4→e3).
4. Best move: Kxe5 — king e6→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kf3 (king e3→f3).
5. Best move: Kd4 — king e5→d4. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h4→h5).
6. Best move: gxh5 — pawn g6→h5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move bxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pp1/pp2k1p1/2p1P1P1/1PP1PK1P/P7/8/8 w - - 0 35

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