Chess Puzzle #9xHVt — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; pawns a2/b4/c3/f3/g3/h4. Black: king e5; pawns a7/b5/c4/f6/g5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke3 — king e2→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: gxh4 — pawn g5→h4, captures pawn. Opponent replies gxh4 (pawn g3→h4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kf5 — king e5→f5. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f3→f4).
4. Best move: Kg4 — king f5→g4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move gxh4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/5p2/1p2k1pp/1Pp4P/2P2PP1/P3K3/8 w - - 0 38

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