Chess Puzzle #70MYk — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2119 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, queen endgame.

Position

White: king g2; queen c3; pawns c2/f3/h3. Black: king c1; queen g6; pawns f4/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf2 — king g2→f2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen g6→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc2+ (queen c3→c2, captures queen, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxc2 — king c1→c2, captures queen. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f2→e2).
  4. Best move: Kc3 — king c2→c3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, queen endgame. The key move Qxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6q1/8/5p1p/2Q2P1P/2P3K1/2k5 w - - 3 56

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