Chess Puzzle #6ipaw — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2281 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, queen endgame.

Position

White: king d6; queen d3; pawns a2/b2. Black: king f2; queen g4; pawns a5/b4/c5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qe2 — queen g4→e2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe2+ — queen d3→e2, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe2 (king f2→e2, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Kxc5 — king d6→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e2→d3).
  4. Best move: b3 — pawn b2→b3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, queen endgame. The key move Qxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/3K4/p1p5/1p4q1/3Q4/PP3k2/8 b - - 14 49

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