Chess Puzzle #1yWTx — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; pawns a5/c2/c3/e4/f2/f5/h2. Black: king d6; pawns a6/b5/c4/c5/f6/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c5→b4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kd4 — king e3→d4. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
4. Best move: cxb3 — pawn c2→b3, captures pawn. Opponent replies cxb3 (pawn c4→b3, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Kc3 — king d4→c3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move cxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p1p/p2k1p2/Ppp2P2/2p1P3/2P1K3/2P2P1P/8 b - - 0 30

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