Chess Puzzle #lleX6 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; pawns a2/b4/c4/d4/f2/g3/h5. Black: king d6; pawns a7/b6/c6/e6/f5/g4/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a7→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c5+ — pawn c4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b6→c5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: dxc5+ — pawn d4→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king d6→d5).
4. Best move: bxa5 — pawn b4→a5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxc5 (king d5→c5, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Ke5 — king f4→e5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move dxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/1ppkp2p/5p1P/1PPP1Kp1/6P1/P4P2/8 b - - 0 33

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