Chess Puzzle #4Q5QL — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1318 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short.

Position

White: king c5; queen a4; pawn a3. Black: king f4; queen c3; pawn c4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke4 — king f4→e4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen a4→c4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc4+ (queen c3→c4, captures queen, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxc4 — king c5→c4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/2K5/Q1p2k2/P1q5/8/8 b - - 2 60

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