Chess Puzzle #PDi4V — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; rook d1; knight a4; pawns a3/b4/c2/h3. Black: king a5; queen f6; rook e6; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/e4/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka6 — king a5→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight a4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b6→c5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qa4+ — queen d7→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king a6→b6).
4. Best move: Qa5+ — queen a4→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc6 (king b6→c6).
5. Best move: Qxc5# — queen a5→c5, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, endgame, mate, mate in 4, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Qxc5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/pb1Q3p/1p2rq2/k7/NP2p3/P6P/2P5/3R3K b - - 0 34

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