Chess Puzzle #3BdGs — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d5; queen c8; rook b7. Black: king h3; queen f1; knight d3; pawns a6/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg2 — king h3→g2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg4+ — queen c8→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g2→h2).
3. Best move: Qxh4+ — queen g4→h4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qh3 (queen f1→h3).
4. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h4→h3, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh3 (king h2→h3, captures queen).
5. Best move: Rb3 — rook b7→b3. Opponent replies Kg4 (king h3→g4).
6. Best move: Rxd3 — rook b3→d3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, very long. The key move Qxh4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/1R6/p7/3K4/7p/3n3k/8/5q2 b - - 0 63

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