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

Position

White: king g4; queen b6; pawn h4. Black: king a4; queen e5; pawn a5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb5 — queen e5→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb5+ — queen b6→b5, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb5 (king a4→b5, captures queen).
3. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
4. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
5. Best move: h7 — pawn h6→h7. Opponent replies a2 (pawn a3→a2).
6. 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 Qxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1Q6/p3q3/k5KP/8/8/8 b - - 12 57

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