Chess Puzzle #sNEJ2 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d2; rooks c1/h1; knight b6; pawns b2/f2. Black: king c8; queen f3; rook h8; bishop g6; knights c6/g8; pawns b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb8 — king c8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight c6→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nd7+ — knight b6→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b8→a7).
4. Best move: Ra1+ — rook c1→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Qa3 (queen f3→a3).
5. Best move: Rxa3# — rook a1→a3, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

Anastasia’s mate, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Rxa3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k3nr/1p3ppp/1Nn3b1/8/8/5q2/1P1Q1P2/2R2K1R b - - 3 25

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