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

Position

White: king d4; bishop b7; pawns a6/b4. Black: king d6; bishop d7; pawns f6/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (9 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc7 — king d6→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kc5 — king d4→c5. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop d7→c8).
3. Best move: Bxc8 — bishop b7→c8, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kxc8 (king c7→c8, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Kc6 — king c5→c6. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
5. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies h3 (pawn h4→h3).
6. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies h2 (pawn h3→h2).
7. Best move: a7+ — pawn a6→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king b8→a8).
8. Best move: b7+ — pawn b6→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa7 (king a8→a7, captures pawn).
9. Best move: Kc7 — king c6→c7. Opponent replies Ka6 (king a7→a6).
10. Best move: b8=Q — pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, bishop endgame, crushing, endgame, exposed king, promotion, quiet move, very long. The key move is Kc5.

Position data

FEN: 8/1B1b4/P2k1p2/8/1P1K3p/8/8/8 b - - 0 61

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