Chess Puzzle #9AfbM — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; bishop d2; pawns a5/b5/c4/d3/e4/f5/h5. Black: king g8; bishop f8; pawns a7/b7/c5/d4/e5/f6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies bxa6 (pawn b7→a6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: bxa6 — pawn b5→a6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bd6 (bishop f8→d6).
4. Best move: Ba5 — bishop d2→a5. Opponent replies Bb8 (bishop d6→b8).
5. Best move: Bd8 — bishop a5→d8.

Tactical themes

bishop endgame, crushing, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: 5bk1/pp5p/5p2/PPp1pP1P/2PpP3/3P4/3B4/6K1 b - - 0 36

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