Chess Puzzle #NxZC1 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a3; pawns b2/c3/d4/f4/g5/h4. Black: king b5; pawns a4/a7/d5/d6/f5/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a7→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: g6 — pawn g5→g6. Opponent replies Kc4 (king b5→c4).
3. Best move: Kxa4 — king a3→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd3 (king c4→d3).
4. Best move: Kxa5 — king a4→a5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke4 (king d3→e4).
5. Best move: b4 — pawn b2→b4. Opponent replies Kxf4 (king e4→f4, captures pawn).
6. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is g6.

Position data

FEN: 8/p5p1/3p4/1k1p1pPp/p2P1P1P/K1P5/1P6/8 b - - 9 39

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