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

Position

White: king e3; pawns b2/c3/d4/f4/g3/g4. Black: king d5; pawns b3/c4/e6/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 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 e4 (pawn e5→e4).
4. Best move: Kf4 — king e3→f4.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/4pp1p/3k4/2pP1PP1/1pP1K1P1/1P6/8 b - - 0 36

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