Chess Puzzle #7z2mg — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e5; pawns a2/b2/d6. Black: king d7; pawns a6/b6/c4/c5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a4 — pawn a2→a4. 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 Kc6 (king d7→c6).
5. Best move: Ke6 — king e5→e6. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
6. Best move: bxa3 — pawn b2→a3, captures pawn. Opponent replies c3 (pawn c4→c3).
7. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Opponent replies c2 (pawn c3→c2).
8. Best move: d8=Q — pawn d7→d8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/3k4/pp1P4/2p1K3/2p5/8/PP6/8 b - - 1 37

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