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

Position

White: king c6; pawns a3/b2/c2. Black: king f2; pawns a7/b6/c5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke2 — king f2→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c4 — pawn c2→c4. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e2→d3).
3. Best move: Kb5 — king c6→b5. Opponent replies Kd4 (king d3→d4).
4. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Opponent replies Kd3 (king d4→d3).
5. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies bxa5 (pawn b6→a5, captures pawn).
6. Best move: Kxc5 — king b5→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
7. Best move: Kb4 — king c5→b4.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is c4.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/1pK5/2p5/8/P7/1PP2k2/8 b - - 5 36

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