Chess Puzzle #XN5pa — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2266 · Expert · attraction, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 4, sacrifice.

Position

White: king f1; queen d2; rooks c1/d3; pawns a2/f2/h3. Black: king a7; queen b6; rook g8; pawns a6/b7/f3. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb3 — rook d3→b3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rg1+ — rook g8→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg1 (king f1→g1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qg6+ — queen b6→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Qg5 (queen d2→g5).
  4. Best move: Qxg5+ — queen g6→g5, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  5. Best move: Qxc1# — queen g5→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 4, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/kp6/pq6/8/8/3R1p1P/P2Q1P2/2R2K2 w - - 5 43

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