Chess Puzzle #6LzDy — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king b4; queen d4; pawn c2. Black: king g4; queen f5; pawns b5/c4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg5 — king g4→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc5 — queen d4→c5. Opponent replies Qxc5+ (queen f5→c5, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxc5 — king b4→c5, captures queen. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g5→f6).
4. Best move: Kxb5 — king c5→b5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin, queen endgame. The key move is Qc5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/1p3q2/1KpQ2k1/8/2P5/8 b - - 7 64

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.