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

Rating 2505 · Master · crushing, endgame, master, pin, short.

Position

White: king a1; queen c3; rook c1; pawns a2/b2. Black: king a7; queen b7; rook d2; pawns a6/b5/d6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qd5 — queen b7→d5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe3+ — queen c3→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Rd4 (rook d2→d4).
  3. Best move: Rd1 — rook c1→d1.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, pin, short. The key move is Qe3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/kq6/p2p4/1p6/8/2Q5/PP1r4/K1R5 b - - 3 37

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