Chess Puzzle #IV3a4 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f5; rooks d1/h6; bishops c3/h7; pawns a3/b2/e3/f2/g2/g6. Black: king h8; queen c7; rooks a8/e8; bishops b3/f8; knight c5; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd1 — bishop b3→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bg8+ — bishop h7→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg8 (king h8→g8, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h6→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king g8→h8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qh3+ — queen f5→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Bh5 (bishop d1→h5).
5. Best move: Qxh5+ — queen h3→h5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
6. Best move: Qh7# — queen h5→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, discovered attack, kingside attack, mate, mate in 5, middlegame, pin, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Qh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3rb1k/ppq3pB/2p3PR/2n2Q2/8/PbB1P3/1P3PP1/2KR4 b - - 2 22

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