Chess Puzzle #2LMEp — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f3; pawns a4/b3/c3/d3/h4. Black: king f5; pawns a5/b7/c6/f7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b7→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: d4 — pawn d3→d4. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f5→e6).
3. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Opponent replies bxa4 (pawn b5→a4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b3→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kf5 (king e6→f5).
5. Best move: Ke3 — king f3→e3. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c6→c5).
6. Best move: dxc5 — pawn d4→c5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is d4.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3p2/2p5/p4k1p/P6P/1PPP1K2/8/8 b - - 0 38

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