Chess Puzzle #00fxc — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; queen c7; rook g1; knight f6; pawns a3/b4/c3/f5. Black: king h8; rooks e2/e8; knight d3; pawns a6/b7/f7/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf7 — queen c7→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: R8e3+ — rook e8→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg4 (king f3→g4).
3. Best move: Ne5+ — knight d3→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king g4→h5).
4. Best move: Rh2# — rook e2→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, fork, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/1pQ2p2/p4N1p/5P2/1P6/P1Pn1K2/4r3/6R1 w - - 1 36

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