Chess Puzzle #db3HB — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h3; rook f1; knight c5; pawns b4/c3/f6/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen b1; rook g8; knight d8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen b1→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd7+ — knight c5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king b8→a8).
3. Best move: Nb6+ — knight d7→b6, gives check. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qc8+ — queen h3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king a8→a7).
5. Best move: Ra1+ — rook f1→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Qa2 (queen c2→a2).
6. Best move: Rxa2# — rook a1→a2, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, endgame, mate, mate in 5, queenside attack, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Rxa2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k1n2r1/ppp2p1p/5P2/2N5/1P6/2P4Q/6PP/1q3RK1 b - - 4 24

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