Chess Puzzle #Ff2m2 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e4; pawns a4/c4/d5/f3/g3. Black: king c5; pawns a6/b6/f6/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b6→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a6→b5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b5→b4).
4. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
5. Best move: Kd3 — king e4→d3. Opponent replies b2 (pawn b3→b2).
6. Best move: Kc2 — king d3→c2. Opponent replies b1=Q+ (pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen, gives check).
7. Best move: Kxb1 — king c2→b1, captures queen. Opponent replies Kb6 (king c5→b6).
8. Best move: d6 — pawn d5→d6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move cxb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/pp3pp1/2kP3p/P1P1K3/5PP1/8/8 b - - 1 43

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