Chess Puzzle #7I9v6 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g3; queen f4; pawns a4/h3. Black: king b3; queen d7; pawn a5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa4 — queen d7→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa4+ — queen f4→a4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa4 (king b3→a4, captures queen).
3. Best move: h4 — pawn h3→h4. Opponent replies Kb3 (king a4→b3).
4. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
5. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
6. Best move: h7 — pawn h6→h7. Opponent replies Ka2 (king b3→a2).
7. Best move: h8=Q — pawn h7→h8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, queen endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxa4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/3q4/8/p7/P4Q2/1k4KP/8/8 b - - 8 53

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