Chess Puzzle #04x8i — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rooks e1/f1; bishops c3/c4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/g3/h2. Black: king c8; rooks d7/h8; bishop f8; knight d5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
3. Best move: Be6+ — bishop c4→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
4. Best move: Rxd8# — rook e8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, deflection, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k2b1r/pppr2p1/5p1p/3n4/2B5/2BP2P1/PPP4P/2K1RR2 b - - 1 19

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