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

Position

White: king e2; bishop e3; pawns a3/b2/c3/g5/h5. Black: king e4; bishop e5; pawns a5/b5/c4/c6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: g6 — pawn g5→g6. Opponent replies hxg6 (pawn h7→g6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c6→c5).
4. Best move: Bxc5 — bishop e3→c5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

bishop endgame, crushing, endgame, long. The key move is g6.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/2p5/pp2b1PP/2p1k3/P1P1B3/1P2K3/8 b - - 0 41

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