Chess Puzzle #STop1 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; pawns f2/g3/h3. Black: king e4; queen e2; pawns b5/c6/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf3 — king e4→f3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen e6→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qe4 (queen e2→e4).
3. Best move: Qc3+ — queen c6→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f3→e2).
4. Best move: Qb2+ — queen c3→b2, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, long, queen endgame. The key move Qxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/2p1Q1p1/1p3p2/4k3/6PP/4qP2/6K1 b - - 6 49

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