A facile highly regioselective Zn(II) chloride promoted protocol for the synthesis of polycyclic chromene derivatives (6H-benzo[c]chromenes) is described starting from 4-(phenylethynyl)-2H-chromene-3-carbaldehydes (1) and terminal alkynes (2). The reaction proceeds through a formal [4+2] cycloaddition between an intermediate formed in situ between 1, Zn(II) chloride and alkyne (2) followed by a retro Diels-Alder step. Developed method provides the desired heterocyclic compounds in high yields under mild reaction conditions. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim