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

Position

White: king h3; queen a5; knight f7; pawns g3/h4. Black: king c6; queen f2; knight c7; pawns b5/c4/e6/f5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen f2→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne5+ — knight f7→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king c6→b7).
3. Best move: Qxb6+ — queen a5→b6, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb6 (king b7→b6, captures queen).
4. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies Nd5 (knight c7→d5).
5. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies Nf6 (knight d5→f6).
6. Best move: Nd7+ — knight e5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b6→a7).
7. Best move: Nxf6 — knight d7→f6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2n2N2/2k1p3/Qp3p2/2p4P/6PK/5q2/8 b - - 1 39

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.