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

Rating 865 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king h3; queen h5; pawns b3/c4/d4/g2. Black: king f8; queen c8; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: dxc4 — pawn d5→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h5→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
  3. Best move: Qxc8 — queen h8→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Qh8+.

Position data

FEN: 2q2k2/1p6/p3p3/3p3Q/2PP4/1P5K/6P1/8 b - - 0 49

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.