Chess Puzzle #4Nhr8 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; pawns a2/c2/c4/d4/g4/h3. Black: king d6; pawns a5/b6/c5/d5/g5/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: cxd4 — pawn c5→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king d3→d4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: dxc4 — pawn d5→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxc4 (king d4→c4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kc6 — king d6→c6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move cxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/1p1k4/p1pp2p1/2PP2P1/3K3P/P1P5/8 w - - 0 29

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