Chess Puzzle #S0KXl — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Rating 1911 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, long, queen endgame.

Position

White: king h2; queen c7; pawns a4/e3/h3. Black: king g8; queen f1; pawns c6/d5/e4/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qf3 — queen f1→f3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qg3+ — queen c7→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
  3. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen g3→f3, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies exf3 (pawn e4→f3, captures queen).
  4. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, long, queen endgame. The key move Qxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2Q5/2p5/3p3p/P3p3/4P2P/7K/5q2 b - - 1 44

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