Chess Puzzle #IOlSO — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e4; pawns a3/b4/f5/h4. Black: king f6; pawns a7/b6/f7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a6→b5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kf4 — king e4→f4. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b5→b4).
4. Best move: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is b5.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4p2/1p3k2/5P1p/1P2K2P/P7/8/8 b - - 0 39

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