Chess Puzzle #P0E4N — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1987 · Advanced · attraction, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice.

Position

White: king c1; queen g3; rooks d1/h1; bishops c5/f1; knights b1/e2; pawns b2/c2/e4/f3/g2/h6. Black: king h8; queen a5; rooks a1/e8; bishop e6; knights e5/f6; pawns b7/d6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd6 — bishop c5→d6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb1+ — rook a1→b1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb1 (king c1→b1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qa2+ — queen a5→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b1→c1).
  4. Best move: Nc4 — knight e5→c4. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b2→b3).
  5. Best move: Qa1# — queen a2→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Qa1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/1p3p1p/3pbnpP/q1B1n3/4P3/5PQ1/1PP1N1P1/rNKR1B1R w - - 1 19

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.