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

Position

White: king e3; pawns a3/b5/c4/d5/e4/g3/h2. Black: king e5; pawns a6/b6/c5/d6/e7/g4/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies e6 (pawn e7→e6).
3. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Opponent replies exd5 (pawn e6→d5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame, quiet move. The key move cxb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/4p2p/pp1p4/1PpPk3/2P1P1p1/P3K1P1/7P/8 b - - 0 32

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