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

Position

White: king e3; pawns a2/c5/d4/f3/g4/h3. Black: king c6; pawns a7/d5/e5/f6/g5/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd4+ — pawn e5→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxd4 — king e3→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies a6 (pawn a7→a6).
3. Best move: a3 — pawn a2→a3. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
4. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Opponent replies gxf4 (pawn g5→f4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: h4 — pawn h3→h4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move Kxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p5p1/2k2p2/2Ppp1p1/3P2P1/4KP1P/P7/8 b - - 1 34

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