Chess Puzzle #M9M8r — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; bishop e2; pawns a2/b3/c4/d3/d5/h4. Black: king f6; bishop f5; pawns a6/b5/c5/d4/d6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg6 — bishop f5→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a6→b5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Opponent replies bxa4 (pawn b5→a4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b3→a4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

bishop endgame, crushing, endgame, long. The key move cxb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p2p1k2/1ppP1b1p/2Pp1K1P/1P1P4/P3B3/8 b - - 1 40

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