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

Position

White: king e3; pawn b3. Black: king d5; pawns b5/c5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (8 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c5→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kd2 — king e3→d2. Opponent replies Kc5 (king d5→c5).
3. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxc4 (king c5→c4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kc2 — king d2→c2. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b5→b4).
5. Best move: Kb2 — king c2→b2. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
6. Best move: Kb1 — king b2→b1. Opponent replies Kb4 (king c4→b4).
7. Best move: Kb2 — king b1→b2. Opponent replies Ka4 (king b4→a4).
8. Best move: Kb1 — king b2→b1. Opponent replies Ka3 (king a4→a3).
9. Best move: Ka1 — king b1→a1.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, pawn endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move is Kd2.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/1ppk4/8/1P2K3/8/8 b - - 0 55

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