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

Position

White: king e3; pawns a3/b4/c5/f4/g5/h4. Black: king e6; pawns a6/b5/c6/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd5 — king e6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kd3 — king e3→d3. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a6→a5).
3. Best move: bxa5 — pawn b4→a5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxc5 (king d5→c5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kc3 — king d3→c3. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c5→d6).
5. Best move: Kb4 — king c3→b4. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d6→c7).
6. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move is Kd3.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/p1p1k1p1/1pP2pP1/1P3P1P/P3K3/8/8 b - - 3 44

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