Chess Puzzle #MeRY3 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g5; pawns a2/b2/b4/d4/f4. Black: king g7; pawns a6/b5/c4/d5/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f6+ — pawn f7→f6, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kf5 — king g5→f5. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a6→a5).
3. Best move: bxa5 — pawn b4→a5, captures pawn. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b5→b4).
4. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies c3 (pawn c4→c3).
5. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b4→c3, captures pawn).
6. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies c2 (pawn c3→c2).
7. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, promotion, very long. The key move is Kf5.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pk1/p7/1p1p2K1/1PpP1P2/8/PP6/8 b - - 0 36

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