Chess Puzzle #1pMuH — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f5; pawns b5/c4/g3. Black: king h5; pawns a5/c5/g4/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
3. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Opponent replies a2 (pawn a3→a2).
4. Best move: b8=Q — pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies a1=Q (pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen).
5. Best move: Qe8# — queen b8→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, mate, mate in 4, pawn endgame, promotion, very long. The combination ends with Qe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/7p/pPp2K1k/2P3p1/6P1/8/8 b - - 0 59

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