Chess Puzzle #1HyYa — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 644 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 4, very long.

Position

White: king g1; rooks c7/d2; bishops e3/e4; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/f8; bishop b3; pawns b5/e5/g5/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: axb3 — pawn a2→b3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a8→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Bb1 (bishop e4→b1).
  3. Best move: Rxb1+ — rook a1→b1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c7→c1).
  4. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook b1→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d2→d1).
  5. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 4, very long. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/2R5/7p/1p2p1p1/4B3/1b2B3/P2R1PPP/6K1 w - - 0 25

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