Chess Puzzle #A9tjN — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen h8; rook a5; bishop d5; pawns b3/d3/f4/h2. Black: king d7; queen d6; rook e1; knight e3; pawns b4/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf2 — king g2→f2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen d6→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe1 (king f2→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f4→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e1→d2).
4. Best move: Qf2+ — queen f1→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king d2→c1).
5. Best move: Qc2# — queen f2→c2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, mate, mate in 4, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Qc2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7Q/3k3p/3q2p1/R2B1p2/1p3P2/1P1Pn3/6KP/4r3 w - - 3 45

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