Chess Puzzle #nHVPl — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e3; pawns b3/c2. Black: king h4; pawns b5/g5/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg3 — king h4→g3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c4 — pawn c2→c4. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h5→h4).
4. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies h3 (pawn h4→h3).
5. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies h2 (pawn h3→h2).
6. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Opponent replies Kg4 (king g3→g4).
7. Best move: b8=Q — pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies h1=Q (pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen).
8. Best move: Qc8+ — queen b8→c8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, equality, pawn endgame, promotion, quiet move, very long. The key move is c4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/1p4pp/7k/1P2K3/2P5/8 b - - 1 50

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