Chess Puzzle #An3qh — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2290 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, queen endgame.

Position

White: king c7; queen e7; pawns a3/b4. Black: king a6; queen d4; pawns a7/b5/c6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb6+ — queen d4→b6, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kc8 — king c7→c8. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c6→c5).
  3. Best move: bxc5 — pawn b4→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qc6+ (queen b6→c6, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kb8 — king c8→b8.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, queen endgame. The key move is Kc8.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1K1Q3/k1p5/1p6/1P1q4/P7/8/8 b - - 1 55

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