Chess Puzzle #knAVl — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d4; pawns b4/c5/g3/h3. Black: king f5; pawns c6/d5/g5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (8 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: gxh4 — pawn g3→h4, captures pawn. Opponent replies gxh4 (pawn g5→h4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c6→b5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f5→e6).
5. Best move: Kc5 — king d4→c5. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d5→d4).
6. Best move: Kb6 — king c5→b6. Opponent replies d3 (pawn d4→d3).
7. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e6→d7).
8. Best move: Kb7 — king b6→b7. Opponent replies d2 (pawn d3→d2).
9. Best move: c8=Q+ — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, promotion, very long. The key move gxh4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2p5/2Pp1kpp/1P1K4/6PP/8/8 b - - 0 48

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