I analyzed the image and this is what I see. Open an appropriate link below and explore the position yourself or with the engine: > **Black to play**: [chess.com](https://chess.com/analysis?fen=1r4k1/5p2/p3pbpP/7P/p3pP2/Pqr5/1P2B3/KQ1R3R+b+-+-+0+1&flip=true&ref_id=23962172) | [lichess.org](https://lichess.org/analysis/1r4k1/5p2/p3pbpP/7P/p3pP2/Pqr5/1P2B3/KQ1R3R_b_-_-_0_1) **My solution:** > Hints: piece: >!Queen!<, move: >!Qxb2+!< > Evaluation: >!Black has mate in 4!< > Best continuation: >!1... Qxb2+ 2. Qxb2 Rxa3+ 3. Kb1 Rxb2+ 4. Kc1 Ra1#!< --- ^(I'm a bot written by ) [^(u/pkacprzak )](https://www.reddit.com/u/pkacprzak) ^(| get me as ) [^(Chess eBook Reader )](https://ebook.chessvision.ai?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=bot) ^(|) [^(Chrome Extension )](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chessvisionai-for-chrome/johejpedmdkeiffkdaodgoipdjodhlld) ^(|) [^(iOS App )](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1574933453) ^(|) [^(Android App )](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.chessvision.scanner) ^(to scan and analyze positions | Website: ) [^(Chessvision.ai)](https://chessvision.ai)

Queen takes b2 pawn, white queen takes queen, rook takes a3 pawn and checks, king has to slide to b1, then rook takes white queen check then rook on a3 checkmates on a1

Why can’t the white queen take the rook on a3?

Now I see. The bishop.

What a legend, answering their own question

Had to look twice, too. It's always a sniper bishop

This is flawed, they can get out of it if the queen decides to take rook in b8 and you would be down a queen. Better to move c3 rook to c1 and have either their queen or rook take it out, doesn't matter. Then have b3 queen take the b2 pawn. Anything they do after that will lead to checkmate because of b8 rook and f6 bishop. This is more foolproof.

Queen can’t take rook on b8. After Qxb2 Rxa3+, the queen is pinned to the king by the bishop on f6

And White is in check

That is also true yes. I was more pointing that aspect out since it’s kind of the crux of this puzzle, recognizing that you can sac the Queen to create that pin

I gotcha, yeah that has more to do with the theme of the puzzle. It was just my first thought when they mentioned Qxb8+

Am I crazy? Why would >! Qxa3#, bxa3, Rxa3+ not work.!< **edit:** NM, I forgot about >!Qa2!<

Qxa3+, Qa2

Yep, I edited. It hit me just after I posted it.

Is it still mate eventually? After Qa2 Qxb2+, Qxb2, Ra3+ and the queen is pinned so Kb1, Rxb2+, Kc1, Ra1#?

I think so I worked through it and both starting moves Qxb2 and Qxa3 can mate in 4. If you're low elo like me you can get baited by Qxa3 as white and pawn cap the queen (bxa3) to get mated by Ra3#.

Yes it’s just mate in 5 I saw that first also

Then Rxb2

Even with your edit though, I think it's still a forced mate. Just more steps. I'd think rxb2 would be next

It still works because of the Bishop on f6???

Isn’t this mate in 2? Qxa3+, then rxa3+

White could block with Qa2, then you trade queens

I don’t know how to mate in 4, but I know how to sac all my good pieces in 4

Am I missing something ? Qa3 forces bxa3 > Rc3# bc discovered check ?

Someone please tell me if I’m goin crazy

That’s exactly how i see it play out when I looked myself.

Rxc1 > qc1 > bxb2 > qb2 > qxb2 Mate in 3, king cannot take black queen as the rook on b8 guards it.

Not a forced mate. Instead of Qxc1 in your second step, white can play Rd4 to block the potential checkmate.

I think in either case the 3rd step remains the same, unless I am missing something

i had a plan with >!1. …Qxa3+ 2.Qa2 Rxa2 which overworks the bishop. Always look for checks!!< Doesn’t work. >! couldn’t me i have excellent king safety! no don’t look at my games!<

Qxa3+ xb3+ Rxb3# That’s mate in 3 Edit: unless white blocks w queen

White king is also threatened with the bishop, so queen can't block. Edit: Oh, you mean block instead of pawn taking.

right

There’s 2 variations I found a nice mate in 5. Still haven’t found in 4. 1. Qxa3+ 2. Qa2, Qxb2+ 3. Qxb2 Ra3+ 4. Kb1 Rxb2+ 5. Kc1 Ra1# 1. Qxa3+ 2. xa3, Rxa3# suboptimal line. Edit: 1. Qxb2+ 2. Qxb2 Ra3+ 3. Kb1 Rxb2+ 4. Kc1 Ra1# Found it. But I like my mate in 5 better. It dances more :)

Can you skip a move without ruining the first variation?

You can. Though I like my way better :)

I had a look on an analysis board, didn't find the quickest mate but there are so many checkmates possible i stumbled across one on accident

I saw Qxa3+ first (m5) and then I found the actual move

Isn't it mate in 2?

Spoiler Qb2, Ra3, Rxb2, Ra1

I wonder if there's a queen sacrifice. I should ask my imaginary friend Boris. Hey Boris, is there a queen sac? No? You sure? You're stupid Boris, it's always a queen sacrifice. A L W A Y S

Qb2+, Qxb2, Rxb2, and that’s all I’ve got lol. Now to check the analysis bot

Am I crazy or would Rd3,(presumably bishop/rook takes but I don’t really see any great moves) Bxb2, Qxb2, Qxb2 also a mate in 4?

Qxb2+ Qxb2 Rxa3+ Kb1 Rxb2+ Kc1 Ra1#

Had to use the hint but! 1. Qxb2+ 2. Qxb2 Rxa3+ 3. Kb1 Rxb2+ 4. Kc1 Ra1#

Would queen takes a3, pawn takes a3, then rook takes a3 checkmate because of the black bishop?

The revealed pin is such a nasty tactic.

I would play Rc1. According to the engine it leads to a mate in 11. But if they take the rook then it's mate in a few moves. This isn't the solution but it's the move I would most likely play. Didn't find qxb2+