Chess Puzzle #aS6hO — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; bishop f2; pawns b5/c5/d6/f3/f4. Black: king e6; bishop d8; pawns a4/b7/e5/g5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf4 — pawn g5→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies bxc6 (pawn b7→c6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
4. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Opponent replies a2 (pawn a3→a2).
5. Best move: b8=Q — pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies a1=Q (pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen).
6. Best move: Qc8+ — queen b8→c8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, bishop endgame, crushing, endgame, promotion, very long. The key move is c6.

Position data

FEN: 3b4/1p6/3Pk3/1PP1p1p1/p3KP2/5P2/5B2/8 b - - 0 34

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