Chess Puzzle #Az8mk — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2522 · Master · defensive move, endgame, equality, queen endgame, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen d2; pawns a2/e4/g4/h4. Black: king g7; queen c5; pawns a7/b6/e5/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen c5→d4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d2→d4, captures queen. Opponent replies exd4 (pawn e5→d4, captures queen).
  3. Best move: e5 — pawn e4→e5.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, queen endgame, short. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4pk1/1p4p1/2q1p3/4P1PP/8/P2Q2K1/8 b - - 0 29

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