Chess Puzzle #AZSAh — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; pawns a3/b4/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f6; pawns b6/c7/d6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke5 — king f6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kc4 — king d3→c4. Opponent replies b5+ (pawn b6→b5, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxb5 — king c4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxd5 (king e5→d5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move is Kc4.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p2pp1/1p1p1k1p/3P4/1P6/P2K3P/5PP1/8 b - - 4 31

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