Chess Puzzle #4Jlgl — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h1; queen c3; pawns a2/g2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen d5; pawns e5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qf5+ — queen c8→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen d5→f5, captures queen).
4. Best move: gxf5 — pawn g4→f5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, queen endgame. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/7p/3qp3/6P1/2Q4P/P5P1/7K b - - 0 35

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