Chess Puzzle #q1oz5 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c5; pawns b4/b6/c2/e4/f5/g3/h5. Black: king d7; pawns a6/b7/c6/e5/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c2→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ke7 — king d7→e7. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b4→b5).
3. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c6→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c4→b5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move is Ke7.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p1k2p1/pPp2p1p/2K1pP1P/1P2P3/6P1/2P5/8 w - - 3 35

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