Chess Puzzle #3KXhT — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1136 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short.

Position

White: king e3; queen d2; pawns a3/b4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen b3; pawns d3/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxa3 — queen b3→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxd3+ — queen d2→d3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd3+ (queen a3→d3, captures queen, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxd3 — king e3→d3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short. The key move Qxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5ppk/4p2p/8/1P6/Pq1pKP1P/3Q2P1/8 b - - 5 40

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