Chess Puzzle #46TGM — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king b5; queen c5; pawns a3/b4. Black: king g2; queen b8; pawn h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen c5→b6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb6+ — queen b8→b6, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb6 (king b5→b6, captures queen).
3. Best move: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b6→a7).
4. Best move: h3 — pawn h4→h3. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b4→b5).
5. Best move: h2 — pawn h3→h2. Opponent replies b6 (pawn b5→b6).
6. Best move: h1=Q — pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen. Opponent replies b7 (pawn b6→b7).
7. Best move: Qh7 — queen h1→h7. Opponent replies Ka8 (king a7→a8).
8. Best move: Qe4 — queen h7→e4.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, queen endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1q6/8/8/1KQ4p/1P6/P7/6k1/8 w - - 7 51

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