Chess Puzzle #5GOBV — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1476 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short.

Position

White: king g3; queen d4; pawns a3/b3/c4/g4. Black: king g8; queen e2; pawns a6/b5/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen d4→c4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen e2→c4, captures queen).
  3. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/8/p6p/1p4p1/2PQ2P1/PP4K1/4q3/8 b - - 3 42

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