Chess Puzzle #DaI4C — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f5; queen d8; pawns c7/f4. Black: king h7; queen e2; pawns a7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh5+ — queen e2→h5, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ke6 — king f5→e6. Opponent replies Qe2+ (queen h5→e2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf7 — king e6→f7. Opponent replies Qc4+ (queen e2→c4, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf8 — king f7→f8.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long, queen endgame. The key move is Ke6.

Position data

FEN: 3Q4/p1P3pk/8/5K2/5P2/8/4q3/8 b - - 2 49

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