Chess Puzzle #x19XV — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f4; pawns a4/b4/c4/h5. Black: king e6; pawns a6/b6/c6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king e6→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c6→b5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: axb5 — pawn a4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a6→a5).
4. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f6→e6).
5. Best move: cxb6 — pawn c5→b6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, very long. The key move is b5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/ppp1k2p/7P/PPP2K2/8/8/8 b - - 0 37

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