Chess Puzzle #je07c — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2017 · Expert · endgame, mate, mate in 4, very long.

Position

White: king f2; queen f4; rook g7; pawns a3/c3/h5. Black: king d6; queen d3; rook a8; bishop c8; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc6 — king d6→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc7+ — rook g7→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king c6→b6).
  3. Best move: Qd6+ — queen f4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b6→a7).
  4. Best move: Qc5+ — queen d6→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king a7→b8).
  5. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c7→c8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 4, very long. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b5/1p4R1/p2kp3/3p3P/5Q2/P1Pq4/5K2/8 b - - 1 32

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