Chess Puzzle #5rNfP — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; pawns a5/b5/c5/d4/e5/g5/h4. Black: king g6; bishop g4; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb5 — pawn c6→b5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies bxa6 (pawn b7→a6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies Bf5 (bishop g4→f5).
4. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, bishop endgame, crushing, endgame, long. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp4p1/2p1p1k1/PPP1P1Pp/3P1KbP/8/8/8 b - - 0 37

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