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

Rating 2210 · Expert · attraction, kingside attack, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks c5/d1; bishops f3/f6; pawns a2/b3/d3/e3/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d6; rooks e8/g8; bishop c7; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rdc1 — rook d1→c1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh2+ — queen d6→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  3. Best move: Qh1+ — queen h2→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king f1→f2).
  4. Best move: Bg3+ — bishop c7→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg3 (king f2→g3, captures bishop).
  5. Best move: Qh4# — queen h1→h4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, kingside attack, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Qh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r1r1/ppb2p2/2nqpB2/2R3p1/8/1P1PPB2/P3Q1PP/3R2K1 w - - 1 22

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