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

Rating 2603 · Master · defensive move, endgame, mate, mate in 4, quiet move, very long.

Position

White: king e1; rook a2; knights b6/b7; pawns a3/c6/e5/f2/g2. Black: king g6; rook b8; knight e4; pawns d3/e6/f4. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd7 — knight b6→d7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh8 — rook b8→h8. Opponent replies Nf8+ (knight d7→f8, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg7 — king g6→g7. Opponent replies Nxe6+ (knight f8→e6, captures pawn, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kg8 — king g7→g8. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f2→f3).
  5. Best move: Rh1# — rook h8→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, mate, mate in 4, quiet move, very long. The combination ends with Rh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/1N6/1NP1p1k1/4P3/4np2/P2p4/R4PP1/4K3 w - - 4 43

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

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