Chess Puzzle #2bssz — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1051 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, master, queen endgame, short.

Position

White: king f2; queen c4; pawns a4/d5/f3/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen e5; pawns a5/b6/f6/g7/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
  3. Best move: Qf5+ — queen c8→f5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, queen endgame, short. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6p1/1p3p2/p2Pq3/P1Q3Pp/5P1P/5K2/8 b - - 0 39

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