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

Rating 2233 · Expert · attraction, kingside attack, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2. Black: king e8; queen c4; rooks d8/h8; bishop e6; pawns a7/c6/f7/g4/g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxg7 — queen e5→g7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen c4→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf1 (king g1→f1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Bc4+ — bishop e6→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king f1→e1).
  4. Best move: Rh1+ — rook h8→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Ng1 (knight f3→g1).
  5. Best move: Rxg1# — rook h1→g1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, kingside attack, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Rxg1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rk2r/p4pp1/2p1b3/4Q3/2q3p1/5N2/PPP2PP1/R1B2RK1 w k - 2 17

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