Chess Puzzle #3WQsI — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; pawns a4/b4/c4/d5/g3/h4. Black: king e5; pawns a6/b6/d6/f6/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e3→d3).
3. Best move: g5 — pawn g6→g5. Opponent replies hxg5 (pawn h4→g5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: fxg5 — pawn f6→g5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move, zugzwang. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/pp1p1pp1/3Pk2p/PPP4P/4K1P1/8/8 w - - 0 43

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