Chess Puzzle #KvRkg — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; pawns a3/b2/c3/d4/e4/g4. Black: king c4; pawns a4/b3/c6/d6/f6/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d5 — pawn d6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e5 — pawn e4→e5. Opponent replies fxe5 (pawn f6→e5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: dxe5 — pawn d4→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies d4+ (pawn d5→d4, gives check).
4. Best move: cxd4 — pawn c3→d4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move is e5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2pp1p2/6p1/p1kPP1P1/PpP1K3/1P6/8 b - - 1 35

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