Chess Puzzle #13Fgq — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1209 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rook c1; pawns g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; bishop e5; pawns a5/b4/f6/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
  3. Best move: Qg4+ — queen e4→g4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p2/1q3p2/p3b3/1p2Q3/7P/6P1/2R4K b - - 0 40

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