Chess Puzzle #HqOQ2 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e3; pawns a4/b2/c3/h4. Black: king e5; pawns a5/c4/d5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf5 — king e5→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kd4 — king e3→d4. Opponent replies Kg4 (king f5→g4).
3. Best move: Kxd5 — king d4→d5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxh4 (king g4→h4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kxc4 — king d5→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h4→g3).
5. Best move: b4 — pawn b2→b4. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h5→h4).
6. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies h3 (pawn h4→h3).
7. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies h2 (pawn h3→h2).
8. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is Kd4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/p2pk2p/P1p4P/2P1K3/1P6/8 b - - 1 35

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