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

Position

White: king h2; knight c7; pawns a7/d3/e4/h3. Black: king h7; queen c1; pawns d4/e5/g5. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen c1→c7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Qc2+ (queen c7→c2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg1 — king h2→g1. Opponent replies Qxd3 (queen c2→d3, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qb7+ — queen a8→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h7→g6).
5. Best move: Qc6+ — queen b7→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king g6→h5).
6. Best move: Qe8+ — queen c6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king h5→h4).
7. Best move: Qh8+ — queen e8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h4→g3).
8. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen h8→e5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, defensive move, endgame, equality, exposed king, promotion, queen endgame, very long. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/P1N4k/8/4p1p1/3pP3/3P3P/7K/2q5 b - - 4 51

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