Chess Puzzle #58HWJ — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g2; queen c5; pawn h4. Black: king c1; queen b1; pawn a6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2+ — queen b1→c2, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen c5→c2, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc2 (king c1→c2, captures queen).
3. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a6→a5).
4. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
5. Best move: h7 — pawn h6→h7. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c2→b1).
6. Best move: h8=Q — pawn h7→h8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, queen endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p7/2Q5/7P/8/6K1/1qk5 b - - 4 52

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