Chess Puzzle #bGMa7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2297 · Expert · deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 4, very long.

Position

White: king b3; queen e8; rook d8; pawns a3/b2. Black: king b7; queen b1; rook g1; bishop c5; pawns a7/b6/c6/f3/h6. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f2 — pawn f3→f2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd7+ — rook d8→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka6 (king b7→a6).
  3. Best move: Qc8+ — queen e8→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king a6→a5).
  4. Best move: Rxa7+ — rook d7→a7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king a5→b5).
  5. Best move: a4# — pawn a3→a4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 4, very long. The combination ends with a4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3RQ3/pk6/1pp4p/2b5/8/PK3p2/1P6/1q4r1 b - - 5 43

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