Chess Puzzle #vpX74 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d4; pawns a3/b4/e3/f5/g4/h4. Black: king d6; pawns a6/b7/c6/d5/f6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b7→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e4 — pawn e3→e4. Opponent replies dxe4 (pawn d5→e4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kxe4 — king d4→e4, captures pawn. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c6→c5).
4. Best move: bxc5+ — pawn b4→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc5 (king d6→c5, captures pawn).
5. Best move: g5 — pawn g4→g5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move bxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p6/p1pk1p1p/3p1P2/1P1K2PP/P3P3/8/8 b - - 0 37

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