Chess Puzzle #MV21e — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rook c1; pawns a2/b4/h2. Black: king a8; queen d8; bishop e4; pawns a7/b6/e6/h3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king h1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd4+ — queen d8→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Bd3+ — bishop e4→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king f1→e1).
4. Best move: Qe3+ — queen d4→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king e1→d1).
5. Best move: Qe2# — queen e3→e2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 4, very long. The combination ends with Qe2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k2q4/p1Q5/1p2p3/8/1P2b3/7p/P6P/2R4K w - - 0 38

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