Chess Puzzle #w7661 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; pawns a5/b4/c4/f4/g2/g3. Black: king e6; pawns a7/b6/e5/f5/g4/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h6→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: axb6 — pawn a5→b6, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: fxe5 — pawn f4→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxe5 (king e6→e5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move axb6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/1p2k2p/P3pp2/1PP2Pp1/4K1P1/6P1/8 b - - 0 41

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