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

Position

White: king e3; pawns a3/c3/c5/e4/f4/g2/h3. Black: king d7; pawns a5/c4/c6/e5/f6/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc7 — king d7→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: fxe5 — pawn f4→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies fxe5 (pawn f6→e5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: g4 — pawn g2→g4. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h5→h4).
4. Best move: g5 — pawn g4→g5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pawn endgame. The key move fxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/3k4/2p2pp1/p1P1p2p/2p1PP2/P1P1K2P/6P1/8 b - - 0 37

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