Chess Puzzle #4qncc — Master, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king e3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f4/h3. Black: king f5; pawns a6/b5/c4/d5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf3 — king e3→f3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Opponent replies Ke3 (king f3→e3).
3. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies Kf3 (king e3→f3).
4. Best move: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c3→d4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Opponent replies Ke3 (king f3→e3).
6. Best move: c3 — pawn c4→c3. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures pawn).
7. Best move: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Opponent replies axb3 (pawn a2→b3, captures pawn).
8. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p7/1p1p1k1p/2p2P2/2P1K2P/PP6/8 w - - 1 40

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