Chess Puzzle #BQjUD — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; pawns a4/b4/c3/d4/e5/g3/h3. Black: king f5; pawns a6/a7/d5/e4/e6/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g7→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies g4 (pawn g5→g4).
3. Best move: h4 — pawn h3→h4. Opponent replies Kg6 (king f5→g6).
4. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Opponent replies dxc4 (pawn d5→c4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Kxe4 — king e3→e4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: 8/p5p1/p3p3/3pPk1p/PP1Pp3/2P1K1PP/8/8 b - - 3 31

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