Chess Puzzle #81tMB — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; pawns a4/b2/c3/e5/f5/g5/h4. Black: king e7; pawns a7/b5/c5/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: axb5 — pawn a4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a6→b5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: b4 — pawn b2→b4. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c5→b4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move axb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p3kppp/8/1pppPPP1/P6P/2P1K3/1P6/8 b - - 0 31

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