Chess Puzzle #csPRK — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2418 · Master · double check, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, sacrifice, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen a2; rooks d3/f7; knight c4; pawns a6/c2/e3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks b8/e8; knight b5; pawns a7/c5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxf7 — king g8→f7, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ne5+ — knight c4→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king f7→f6).
  3. Best move: Qf7+ — queen a2→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe5 (king f6→e5, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Rd5+ — rook d3→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke4 (king e5→e4).
  5. Best move: Qf3# — queen f7→f3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

double check, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Qf3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r2r1k1/p4Rp1/P6p/1np3q1/2N5/3RP3/Q1P3PP/6K1 b - - 0 31

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