Chess Puzzle #jo461 — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h2; queen e4; bishop g2; pawns d6/g3/h3. Black: king f8; queen d2; rook c2; pawn f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook c2→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh4 — queen e4→h4. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen d2→d6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h4→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Qxc8 — queen h8→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move, skewer. The key move is Qh4.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/5p2/3P4/8/4Q3/6PP/2rq2BK/8 b - - 0 41

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