Chess Puzzle #a4ccf — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c3; queen e4; pawns a4/g4. Black: king e1; queen d1; pawns a5/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf1 — king e1→f1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh1+ — queen e4→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
3. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen h1→d1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd1 (king e2→d1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Kd3 — king c3→d3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, queen endgame, zugzwang. The key move Qxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/p5p1/P3Q1P1/2K5/8/3qk3 b - - 3 62

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