Chess Puzzle #5HXtf — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c6; pawns a4/c4/g3/h4. Black: king g4; pawns a5/b6/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxg3 — king g4→g3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxb6 — king c6→b6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxh4 (king g3→h4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g6→g5).
4. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies g4 (pawn g5→g4).
5. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7. Opponent replies g3 (pawn g4→g3).
6. Best move: c8=Q — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, promotion, quiet move, very long. The key move Kxb6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1pK3p1/p6p/P1P3kP/6P1/8/8 b - - 9 50

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