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

Position

White: king d6; pawns a2/c5/g5. Black: king b5; bishop c6; pawns a6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a4+ — pawn a2→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa4 (king b5→a4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kxc6 — king d6→c6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kb3 (king a4→b3).
4. Best move: Kd5 — king c6→d5. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
5. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
6. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7. Opponent replies a2 (pawn a3→a2).
7. Best move: c8=Q — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, bishop endgame, crushing, deflection, endgame, promotion, very long. The key move is a4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/p1bK4/1kP3P1/8/8/P7/8 b - - 1 53

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