Chess Puzzle #Z4Zk1 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; bishop c6; pawns a4/b5/c4/e4/e5/h5. Black: king e7; knight c7; pawns a7/b6/c5/e6/f7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a6→b5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: axb6 — pawn a5→b6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Na6 (knight c7→a6).
4. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1n1kp2/1pB1p2p/1Pp1P2P/P1P1PK2/8/8/8 b - - 0 38

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