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

Position

White: king e2; bishop d4; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g3. Black: king g5; bishop c3; pawns b4/b5/e4/g4/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (10 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: gxh4+ — pawn g3→h4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh4 (king g5→h4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Bxc3 — bishop d4→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b4→c3, captures bishop).
4. Best move: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Opponent replies c2 (pawn c3→c2).
5. Best move: Kd2 — king e2→d2. Opponent replies bxa4 (pawn b5→a4, captures pawn).
6. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b3→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kh3 (king h4→h3).
7. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies c1=B+ (pawn c2→c1, promotes to bishop, gives check).
8. Best move: Kxc1 — king d2→c1, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h3→g2).
9. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Kxf2 (king g2→f2, captures pawn).
10. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies g3 (pawn g4→g3).
11. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, bishop endgame, crushing, endgame, promotion, quiet move, very long. The key move gxh4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/1p4kp/1p1Bp1p1/1Pb1P1P1/P3KP2/8 b - - 9 52

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