Long mate puzzles (mate in 4+)

Four moves or more, every one forced. These are long sequences where each check leaves the king a single path, until it runs out of squares.

They are slow on purpose. Take your time - a long forced mate is mostly one idea repeated: keep checking, keep the king boxed in.

How to spot it

• Stay with checks. Losing the initiative for one move usually lets the king escape.
• Watch which squares each check covers, not just the king's.
• If you are stuck, try the most violent move on the board.