Chess Puzzle #68vi9 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; pawns a2/b3/c3/d4/g4/h3. Black: king e6; pawns a5/b5/c6/c7/g5/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b3→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies bxa4 (pawn b5→a4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kd3 — king e4→d3. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c6→c5).
4. Best move: Kc4 — king d3→c4. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c5→d4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Kxd4 — king c4→d4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/2p5/2p1k1p1/pp4p1/3PK1P1/1PP4P/P7/8 b - - 0 34

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