Chess Puzzle #MnG7p — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; pawns a4/b4/c4/d4/g5/h4. Black: king e7; pawns a6/b7/d6/e6/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b6→c5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: dxc5 — pawn d4→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies d5 (pawn d6→d5).
4. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a6→a5).
5. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e7→d7).
6. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d7→c7).
7. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move is c5.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p2k3/p2pp1p1/6Pp/PPPP1K1P/8/8/8 b - - 0 40

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