Chess Puzzle #ZNlit — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king c3; pawns b3/e4/f3/h3/h4. Black: king a2; pawns a5/e5/e6/f5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: axb4+ — pawn a5→b4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb4 (king c3→b4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: fxe4 — pawn f5→e4, captures pawn. Opponent replies fxe4 (pawn f3→e4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kb2 — king a2→b2. Opponent replies Kc5 (king b4→c5).
5. Best move: Kc3 — king b2→c3. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c5→d6).
6. Best move: Kd4 — king c3→d4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move axb4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4p3/p3pp1p/4P2P/1PK2P1P/k7/8 w - - 8 39

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