Chess Puzzle #Bg437 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks e6/f1; pawns a3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d2; rooks c8/f8; pawns a7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa4 — queen c4→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen d2→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf2 (rook f1→f2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen a4→d1).
4. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook c1→d1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
5. Best move: Rdxf1# — rook d1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 4, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Rdxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r1k/p5pp/4R3/8/2Q5/P3P3/3q1PPP/5RK1 w - - 1 25

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