Chess Puzzle #LOHmN — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c4; pawns b2/c3/e5/f4/g3/h5. Black: king c6; pawns a4/b7/e6/f7/g4/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (8 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5+ — pawn b7→b5, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kb4 — king c4→b4. Opponent replies Kb6 (king c6→b6).
3. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kxc4 — king b4→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kc6 (king b6→c6).
5. Best move: Kb4 — king c4→b4. Opponent replies Kd5 (king c6→d5).
6. Best move: Kxa4 — king b4→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke4 (king d5→e4).
7. Best move: b4 — pawn b2→b4. Opponent replies Kf3 (king e4→f3).
8. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies Kxg3 (king f3→g3, captures pawn).
9. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is Kb4.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3p2/2k1p2p/4P2P/p1K2Pp1/2P3P1/1P6/8 b - - 0 36

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