Chess Puzzle #zxvm9 — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f4; pawns d5/g2/h3. Black: king f6; pawns d6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Opponent replies g5+ (pawn g6→g5, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke4 — king f4→e4. Opponent replies Kg6 (king f6→g6).
4. Best move: g4 — pawn g3→g4. Opponent replies hxg4 (pawn h5→g4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: hxg4 — pawn h3→g4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g6→f6).
6. Best move: Kd4 — king e4→d4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pawn endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move is g3.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/3p1kp1/3P4/5K2/7P/6P1/8 b - - 3 42

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