Chess Puzzle #QTCYS — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c4; pawns a4/c5/g4/h4. Black: king c6; pawns a6/f6/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h6→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: gxh5 — pawn g4→h5, captures pawn. Opponent replies gxh5 (pawn g6→h5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f6→f5).
4. Best move: Kd4 — king c4→d4. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f5→f4).
5. Best move: Ke4 — king d4→e4. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f4→f3).
6. Best move: Kxf3 — king e4→f3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxc5 (king c6→c5, captures pawn).
7. Best move: Kf4 — king f3→f4. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c5→b5).
8. Best move: Kg5 — king f4→g5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move gxh5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p1k2ppp/2P5/P1K3PP/8/8/8 b - - 1 42

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