Chess Puzzle #HBUY5 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d4; pawns a2/b3/e4/f4/g4/h3. Black: king e6; pawns a5/b5/c4/d5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxe4 — pawn d5→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kxc4 — king d4→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies e3 (pawn e4→e3).
4. Best move: Kd3 — king c4→d3. Opponent replies e2 (pawn e3→e2).
5. Best move: Kxe2 — king d3→e2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, pawn endgame, very long. The key move bxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/4k1p1/pp1p4/2pKPPP1/1P5P/P7/8 b - - 1 35

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