Chess Puzzle #MfJo3 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rook d3; knight e5; pawns a3/f4/g2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook h6; bishop e7; pawns a7/g5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king h1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bc5+ — bishop e7→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Rh1+ — rook h6→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
4. Best move: Qe4+ — queen d5→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e2→d2).
5. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e4→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kc2 (king d2→c2).
6. Best move: Qb1+ — queen e1→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Kc3 (king c2→c3).
7. Best move: Rc1+ — rook h1→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c3→d2).
8. Best move: Qb2# — queen b1→b2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 5, very long. The combination ends with Qb2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p3b3/7r/3qN1p1/5PQ1/P2R4/6P1/7K w - - 1 40

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