Chess Puzzle #NsLS8 — Expert, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king b2; queen f3; rooks d1/e1; bishops d3/g5; knight d4; pawns a2/c2/c3/e4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen a5; rook h8; bishops b7/f8; knights d7/f6; pawns a6/b5/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nb3 — knight d4→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ba3+ — bishop f8→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king b2→b1).
3. Best move: Qxc3 — queen a5→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxf6 (bishop g5→f6, captures knight).
4. Best move: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Be2 (bishop d3→e2).
5. Best move: Qb2# — queen c3→b2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, master, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, very long. The combination ends with Qb2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4kb1r/1b1n1ppp/p3pn2/qp1p2B1/3NPP2/2PB1Q2/PKP3PP/3RR3 w k - 0 14

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