Chess Puzzle #Lj1Qt — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g2; queen h8; pawns c3/f4. Black: king b3; queen a1; pawns c5/c7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen a1→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen h8→c3, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc3 (king b3→c3, captures queen).
3. Best move: f5 — pawn f4→f5. Opponent replies Kb2 (king c3→b2).
4. Best move: f6 — pawn f5→f6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, queen endgame, quiet move. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7Q/2p5/8/2p5/5P2/1kP5/6K1/q7 b - - 0 46

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