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

Position

White: king d4; pawns a5/b5/c4/c5/f2/g3/h3. Black: king e6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/f5/g5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king e6→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies bxa6 (pawn b7→a6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: cxb6 — pawn c5→b6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp6/2p1k3/PPP2ppp/2PKp3/6PP/5P2/8 b - - 0 32

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