Chess Puzzle #5VxXZ — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Rating 1722 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, queen endgame, short.

Position

White: king c6; queen c4; pawns a4/b3/h3. Black: king e7; queen a5; pawns b6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc5+ — queen a5→c5, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen c4→c5, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b6→c5, captures queen).
  3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, queen endgame, short. The key move Qxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/4kp1p/1pK3p1/q7/P1Q5/1P5P/8/8 b - - 5 43

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