Chess Puzzle #n1heO — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2247 · Expert · attraction, kingside attack, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks d2/d5; bishops e3/g2; pawns a2/b3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a8/e8; bishops c8/f6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bc5 — bishop e3→c5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e7→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Bf1 (bishop g2→f1).
  3. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen e1→f1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf1 (king g1→f1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Bh3+ — bishop c8→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
  5. Best move: Re1# — rook e8→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, kingside attack, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Re1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b1r1k1/pp2qpp1/5b1p/3R4/8/1P2B1P1/P1QR1PBP/6K1 w - - 3 24

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