Chess Puzzle #MJoCI — Advanced, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1849 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king g3; queen h2; pawn e3. Black: king d3; queen c2; pawn e4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxc2+ — queen h2→c2, captures queen, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kxc2 — king d3→c2, captures queen. Opponent replies Kg4 (king g3→g4).
  3. Best move: Kd2 — king c2→d2. Opponent replies Kf4 (king g4→f4).
  4. Best move: Kd3 — king d2→d3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, zugzwang. The key move Kxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/8/4p3/3kP1K1/2q4Q/8 w - - 3 61

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