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

Position

White: king a3; rooks a1/f1; bishops c4/f4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks a8/d5; bishop d4; knight c5; pawns a5/b5/c6/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd5+ — bishop c4→d5, captures rook, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Opponent replies c3 (pawn c2→c3).
3. Best move: b4+ — pawn b5→b4, gives check. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c3→b4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: axb4+ — pawn a5→b4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb4 (king a3→b4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Ra4# — rook a8→a4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, defensive move, discovered check, double check, exposed king, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, pillsburys mate, very long. The combination ends with Ra4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/6pp/2p2p2/ppnr1P2/2Bb1B2/K6P/PPP3P1/R4R2 w - - 0 24

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