Chess Puzzle #TG5Wj — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e4; pawns a4/c4/d5. Black: king d6; pawns a6/b6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b6→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a6→b5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h5→h4).
4. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies h3 (pawn h4→h3).
5. Best move: Kf3 — king e4→f3. Opponent replies h2 (pawn h3→h2).
6. Best move: Kg2 — king f3→g2. Opponent replies h1=Q+ (pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen, gives check).
7. Best move: Kxh1 — king g2→h1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move cxb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/pp1k4/3P3p/P1P1K3/8/8/8 b - - 1 43

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