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

Position

White: king e3; pawns a4/b3/d4/f4/g4/h5. Black: king d5; pawns a5/b7/e6/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e5 — pawn e6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: dxe5 — pawn d4→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies fxe5 (pawn f6→e5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: f5 — pawn f4→f5. Opponent replies Kd6 (king d5→d6).
4. Best move: Ke4 — king e3→e4. Opponent replies b6 (pawn b7→b6).
5. Best move: g5 — pawn g4→g5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move dxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p4p1/4pp1p/p2k3P/P2P1PP1/1P2K3/8/8 b - - 0 36

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