Chess Puzzle #3xDAP — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; pawns a3/b2/c3/e5/f6/g4. Black: king f7; pawns a5/b7/c5/d5/e6/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b7→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b4 — pawn b2→b4. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a5→b4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d5→d4).
4. Best move: bxc5 — pawn b4→c5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move is b4.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3k2/4pP2/p1ppP1p1/6P1/P1P2K2/1P6/8 b - - 1 36

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