Chess Puzzle #AvOVA — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king f3; queen e4; pawns a4/c3/g3/h2. Black: king d6; queen d5; pawns a5/c6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke3 — king f3→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen d5→e4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe4 (king e3→e4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Kc5 — king d6→c5. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e4→d3).
4. Best move: h5 — pawn h6→h5. Opponent replies Ke4 (king d3→e4).
5. Best move: Kc4 — king c5→c4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen endgame, quiet move, very long, zugzwang. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/2pk3p/p2q4/P3Q3/2P2KP1/7P/8 w - - 2 35

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