Chess Puzzle #H7olQ — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; pawns a2/b3/c4/d4/g5/h6. Black: king d6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c5+ — pawn c4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b6→c5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: dxc5+ — pawn d4→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc5 (king d6→c5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Ke5 — king e4→e5. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a7→a5).
5. Best move: Kxe6 — king e5→e6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move dxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp5p/2pkp1pP/6P1/2PPK3/1P6/P7/8 b - - 5 38

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