Chess Puzzle #7cwtp — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1457 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, queen rook endgame, skewer.

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/h1; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen b4; pawns a4/e6/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook d1→d2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen b4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king c1→d1).
  3. Best move: Qa1+ — queen c3→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d1→e2).
  4. Best move: Qxh1 — queen a1→h1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, queen rook endgame, skewer. The key move is Qc3+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/6p1/4p3/8/pq6/8/P4PPP/2KR3R w - - 0 29

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