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

Position

White: king c3; pawns a3/b4/c4/e4/f5/g6. Black: king b6; pawns a5/c6/d6/e5/f6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c5+ — pawn c4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies dxc5 (pawn d6→c5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kc4 — king c3→c4. Opponent replies Kb7 (king b6→b7).
4. Best move: Kxc5 — king c4→c5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, zugzwang. The key move is c5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/1kpp1pP1/p3pP2/1PP1P3/P1K5/8/8 b - - 1 40

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