Chess Puzzle #qvAOv — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; pawns a3/c2/c3/f3/g4/h4. Black: king e6; pawns a5/b5/c5/g6/g7/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh5 — pawn g4→h5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies hxg6 (pawn h5→g6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c3→b4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c5→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a3→b4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, sacrifice, very long. The key move is a4.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/4k1p1/ppp4p/4K1PP/P1P2P2/2P5/8 w - - 0 45

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