Chess Puzzle #CNp9d — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1598 · Intermediate · attraction, endgame, kingside attack, mate, mate in 4, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rook e1; bishop e2; pawns a4/b3/c4/e4/f2/g2/g4. Black: king c7; queen c8; rook h8; bishops e5/f5; pawns a5/b4/c5/d6/f7/g5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exf5 — pawn e4→f5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook h8→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh1 (king g1→h1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qh8+ — queen c8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  4. Best move: Qh2+ — queen h8→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  5. Best move: Qh1# — queen h2→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, kingside attack, mate, mate in 4, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Qh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2q4r/2k2p2/3p4/p1p1bbp1/PpP1P1P1/1P6/2Q1BPP1/4R1K1 w - - 0 30

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