Chess Puzzle #AzId4 — Advanced, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king f4; pawns a3/b2/d4/g5. Black: king g6; pawns a4/b4/c4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke3 — king f4→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: c3 — pawn c4→c3. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e3→d3).
3. Best move: cxb2 — pawn c3→b2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kc2 (king d3→c2).
4. Best move: bxa3 — pawn b4→a3, captures pawn. Opponent replies d5 (pawn d4→d5).
5. Best move: Kxg5 — king g6→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies d6 (pawn d5→d6).
6. Best move: Kf6 — king g5→f6. Opponent replies d7 (pawn d6→d7).
7. Best move: Ke7 — king f6→e7. Opponent replies d8=Q+ (pawn d7→d8, promotes to queen, gives check).
8. Best move: Kxd8 — king e7→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, capturing the defender, crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move is c3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6k1/6P1/pppP1K2/P7/1P6/8 w - - 0 51

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