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

Position

White: king b5; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/f3; pawns a3/b2/c2/d3/d5/h2. Black: king c7; queen f2; rook b8; bishop b4; pawns c5/f4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 9 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc4 — king b5→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd4+ — queen f2→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb3 (king c4→b3).
3. Best move: Bxa3+ — bishop b4→a3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka2 (king b3→a2).
4. Best move: Rxb2+ — rook b8→b2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxb2 (bishop c1→b2, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qxb2# — queen d4→b2, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, discovered check, epaulette mate, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, very long. The combination ends with Qxb2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/2k2ppp/8/1KpP4/1b3p2/P2P1B2/1PP2q1P/R1BQ3R w - - 1 22

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