Chess Puzzle #ghnPs — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d4; pawns a3/b3/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e6; pawns a6/b5/e4/f5/g5/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies bxa4 (pawn b3→a4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Opponent replies c4 (pawn c3→c4).
4. Best move: Kd6 — king e6→d6. Opponent replies c5+ (pawn c4→c5, gives check).
5. Best move: Kc6 — king d6→c6. Opponent replies Ke5 (king d4→e5).
6. Best move: f4 — pawn f5→f4. Opponent replies Kxe4 (king e5→e4, captures pawn).
7. Best move: Kxc5 — king c6→c5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move bxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p3k3/1p3pp1/3Kp2p/PPP4P/5PP1/8 w - - 0 36

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