Chess Puzzle #LUBJG — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d4; pawns a5/b4/e3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king d6; pawns a6/b7/d5/f5/g5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e3→e4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: dxe4 — pawn d5→e4, captures pawn. Opponent replies fxe4 (pawn f3→e4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: f4 — pawn f5→f4. Opponent replies e5+ (pawn e4→e5, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke6 — king d6→e6. Opponent replies Ke4 (king d4→e4).
5. Best move: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Opponent replies Kd4 (king e4→d4).
6. Best move: g4 — pawn g5→g4. Opponent replies hxg4 (pawn h3→g4, captures pawn).
7. Best move: f3 — pawn f4→f3. Opponent replies gxf3 (pawn g2→f3, captures pawn).
8. Best move: h3 — pawn h4→h3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, sacrifice, very long, zugzwang. The key move dxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p6/p2k4/P2p1ppp/1P1K4/4PP1P/6P1/8 w - - 0 36

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