Chess Puzzle #yh1Wc — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king b8; queen f4; pawn b7. Black: king h5; queen b3; pawn h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h4→h3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kc7 — king b8→c7. Opponent replies Qc3+ (queen b3→c3, gives check).
3. Best move: Kd8 — king c7→d8. Opponent replies Qa5+ (queen c3→a5, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke7 — king d8→e7. Opponent replies Qc5+ (queen a5→c5, gives check).
5. Best move: Qd6 — queen f4→d6. Opponent replies Qa7 (queen c5→a7).
6. Best move: Qc7 — queen d6→c7. Opponent replies h2 (pawn h3→h2).
7. Best move: Qxh2+ — queen c7→h2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, queen endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxh2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1K6/1P6/8/7k/5Q1p/1q6/8/8 b - - 0 79

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