Chess Puzzle #5PHZo — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e4; pawns a4/b4/c4/f5. Black: king e6; pawns a6/b6/c6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king e6→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c6→b5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies bxa5 (pawn b6→a5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b5→b4).
5. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
6. Best move: Kd3 — king e4→d3. Opponent replies Kxf5 (king f6→f5, captures pawn).
7. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, sacrifice, very long. The key move is b5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/ppp1k2p/5P2/PPP1K3/8/8/8 b - - 0 41

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