Chess Puzzle #0GJx9 — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g2; queen c2; pawns b4/f3/g4/h3. Black: king h7; queen d5; pawns d6/g5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king h7→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Qf5+ — queen c8→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen d5→f5, captures queen).
4. Best move: gxf5 — pawn g4→f5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, queen endgame. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pk/3p3p/3q2p1/1P4P1/5P1P/2Q3K1/8 b - - 1 51

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.