Chess Puzzle #Ag7Ab — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rooks a1/f1; bishops a6/b2; pawns c2/c4/d5/f4/g3. Black: king c8; queen e3; rooks e1/f8; bishop b7; pawns b6/c5/d6/f5/g6/h3. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe2+ — queen e3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Rf2 (rook f1→f2).
3. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen e2→f2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh3 (king h2→h3, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king h3→h4).
5. Best move: Qh1+ — queen f1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg5 (king h4→g5).
6. Best move: Qh5# — queen h1→h5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 5, middlegame, very long. The combination ends with Qh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k2r2/Qb6/Bp1p2p1/2pP1p2/2P2P2/4q1Pp/1BP5/R3rRK1 w - - 7 31

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