Chess Puzzle #8qx5o — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1423 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short.

Position

White: king h3; queen h5; pawns a2/c5/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen d3; pawns a7/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qf5+ — queen d3→f5, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf5 — queen h5→f5, captures queen. Opponent replies exf5 (pawn e6→f5, captures queen).
  3. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short. The key move Qxf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4pp1/4p2p/2P4Q/7P/3q2PK/P7/8 b - - 0 37

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