Chess Puzzle #5Ec2t — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; pawns a3/b3/e5/f4/g3/h4. Black: king e6; pawns a4/b5/d5/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxa4 — pawn b3→a4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd4 (king e3→d4).
3. Best move: f6 — pawn f7→f6. Opponent replies exf6 (pawn e5→f6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kxf6 — king e6→f6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move bxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/4k1p1/1p1pP2p/p4P1P/PP2K1P1/8/8 w - - 0 41

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