Chess Puzzle #72I3S — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f2; pawns a4/b4/c3/d4. Black: king g6; pawns a5/b6/c6/d5/f6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb4 — pawn a5→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kf5 (king g6→f5).
3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f5→e6).
4. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move cxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1pp2pkp/p2p4/PP1P4/2P5/5K2/8 b - - 0 42

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