Chess Puzzle #noBrT — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen g7; rook f6; pawns b2/c3/g2/h3. Black: king a8; queen d1; pawns a6/b7/c6/c7/e4/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc4 — king b3→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: b5+ — pawn b7→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc5 (king c4→c5).
3. Best move: Qd5+ — queen d1→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb4 (king c5→b4).
4. Best move: Qc4+ — queen d5→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka3 (king b4→a3).
5. Best move: Qa4# — queen c4→a4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 4, very long. The combination ends with Qa4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k7/1pp3Q1/p1p2R1p/8/4p3/1KP4P/1P4P1/3q4 w - - 3 35

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.