Chess Puzzle #b7j8m — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2205 · Expert · crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long.

Position

White: king d1; queen c7; pawns a3/e4/f3. Black: king f8; rook f2; knight e5; pawns d6/f4/f6/g3. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g2 — pawn g3→g2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen c7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f8→g7).
  3. Best move: Qa7+ — queen b8→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
  4. Best move: Qxf2 — queen a7→f2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move is Qb8+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/2Q5/3p1p2/4n3/4Pp2/P4Pp1/5r2/3K4 b - - 0 46

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

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