Chess Puzzle #3DXE1 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d2; queen a2; pawns c3/d4/e5/h3. Black: king g7; queen a4; pawns a3/d5/e6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg6 — king g7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc2+ — queen a2→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc2+ (queen a4→c2, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxc2 — king d2→c2, captures queen. Opponent replies a2 (pawn a3→a2).
4. Best move: Kb2 — king c2→b2.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, queen endgame. The key move is Qc2+.

Position data

FEN: 8/6k1/4p3/3pP2p/q2P4/p1P4P/Q2K4/8 b - - 0 44

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