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

Position

White: king d3; pawns b3/e5/f4/g5/h3. Black: king c5; pawns b4/d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ke4 — king d3→e4. Opponent replies d3 (pawn d4→d3).
3. Best move: Kxd3 — king e4→d3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd5 (king c5→d5).
4. Best move: Ke3 — king d3→e3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is Ke4.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p1p/4p1p1/2kpP1P1/1p3P2/1P1K3P/8/8 b - - 4 44

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