Chess Puzzle #9BWSk — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king e2; pawns a3/b3/c2/g3/g4. Black: king d5; pawns a5/c4/d4/f6/g5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc4+ — pawn b3→c4, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kxc4 — king d5→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e2→d2).
3. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies Kd1 (king d2→d1).
4. Best move: Kc3 — king c4→c3. Opponent replies Kc1 (king d1→c1).
5. Best move: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Opponent replies cxd3 (pawn c2→d3, captures pawn).
6. Best move: Kxd3 — king c3→d3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move Kxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/5p2/p2k2p1/2pp2P1/PP4P1/2P1K3/8 w - - 0 63

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