Chess Puzzle #15Vdp — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1418 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, queen rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g3; queen c5; pawns d6/f3/g4. Black: king h8; rooks d1/e8; pawns a7/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook e8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe5+ — queen c5→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
  3. Best move: Qg5+ — queen e5→g5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen rook endgame, short. The key move is Qe5+.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/p4p1p/3P4/2Q5/6P1/5PK1/8/3r4 b - - 0 42

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