Chess/Puzzles/Directmates/Fourteen-move 1/Solution

Note that all of Black's moves are forced:

  • Black king cannot escape on a7 because of the white b6 pawn;
  • Black queen cannot parry an a-file check on a7 because Qxa7 checkmates Black;
  • Black king cannot escape on c8 because the white queen is checking at either f4, g3 or h2 when Black king is on b8. As such if escaping to c8, Qf8/Q(x)g8/Qh8 will checkmate the black king next move. Note that c7 and d7 are both guarded by white pawns.
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black queen c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 black knight h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black king c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 white queen 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 black pawn b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 black king 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
Starting position.
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black king c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 black knight h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black queen c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 white queen f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 black pawn b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 black king 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
1.Qe4+ Qb7
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black king c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 black knight h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black queen c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 white queen b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 black pawn b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 black king 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
2.Qa4+ Kb8
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black king c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 black knight h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black queen c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 white queen g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 black pawn b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 black king 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
3.Qf4+ Ka8
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black queen c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 white queen g8 black knight h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black king c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 black pawn b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 black king 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
4.Qf8+ Qb8
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black king c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 black knight h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black queen c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 white queen g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 black pawn b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 black king 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
5.Qf3+ Qb7
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black king c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 black knight h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black queen c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 white queen b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 black pawn b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 black king 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
6.Qa3+ Kb8
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black king c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 black knight h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black queen c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 white queen h3 black king 3
2 a2 black pawn b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 black king 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
7.Qg3+ Ka8
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black queen c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 white queen h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black king c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 black pawn b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 black king 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
8.Qxg8+ Qb8
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black king c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 black king h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black queen c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 black pawn b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 white queen h2 black king 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
9.Qg2+ Qb7
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black king c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 black king h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black queen c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 white queen b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 black king 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
10.Qxa2+ Kb8
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black king c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 black king h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black queen c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 black king b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 white queen 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
11.Qh2+ Ka8
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black queen c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 black king h8 white queen 8
7 a7 black king b7 black king c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 black king b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 black king 2
1 a1 black king b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
12.Qh8+ Qb8
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 black king b8 black queen c8 black king d8 black king e8 black king f8 black king g8 black king h8 black king 8
7 a7 black king b7 black king c7 black king d7 black king e7 black pawn f7 black king g7 black king h7 black king 7
6 a6 black king b6 white pawn c6 black king d6 black king e6 white pawn f6 black king g6 black king h6 black king 6
5 a5 black king b5 white king c5 black king d5 black king e5 black king f5 black king g5 black king h5 black king 5
4 a4 black king b4 black king c4 black king d4 black king e4 black king f4 black king g4 black king h4 black king 4
3 a3 black king b3 black king c3 black king d3 black king e3 black king f3 black king g3 black king h3 black king 3
2 a2 black king b2 black king c2 black king d2 black king e2 black king f2 black king g2 black king h2 black king 2
1 a1 white queen b1 black king c1 black king d1 black king e1 black king f1 black king g1 black king h1 black king 1
a b c d e f g h
13.Qa1+


If 13... Kb7 then 14. Qa6#

If 13... Qa7 then 14. Qxa7#

a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h