Chess Puzzle #5YWeP — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f1; pawns a4/b3. Black: king h1; pawns a5/b6/h3. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h2 — pawn h3→h2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kf2 — king f1→f2. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b6→b5).
3. Best move: axb5 — pawn a4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
4. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
5. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Opponent replies a2 (pawn a3→a2).
6. Best move: b8=Q — pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies a1=Q (pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen).
7. Best move: Qb7# — queen b8→b7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, mate, mate in 5, pawn endgame, promotion, very long, zugzwang. The combination ends with Qb7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1p6/p7/P7/1P5p/8/5K1k b - - 6 58

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