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

Position

White: king f3; pawns a3/b2/c3/e4/g4/h3. Black: king c5; pawns a5/b5/c4/f7/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb4+ — pawn c3→b4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a5→b4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Ke3 — king f3→e3. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
4. Best move: Kd2 — king e3→d2. Opponent replies Kd4 (king c5→d4).
5. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
6. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move cxb4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/7p/ppk3p1/2p1P1P1/P1P2K1P/1P6/8 b - - 5 46

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