Chess Puzzle #7d9bk — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f3; pawns a3/b3/c3/h4. Black: king e5; pawns a5/b5/f4/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf5 — king e5→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Opponent replies bxa4 (pawn b5→a4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b3→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke5 (king f5→e5).
4. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Opponent replies Kf5 (king e5→f5).
5. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is a4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/pp2k2p/5p1P/PPP2K2/8/8 b - - 0 47

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