Chess Puzzle #0xNsJ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; rook d1; bishops c2/d2; pawns a2/h2. Black: king h8; rooks e2/g8; bishop a4; knight c5; pawns a6/b7/f5/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc2 — bishop a4→c2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc3+ — bishop d2→c3, gives check. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
3. Best move: Bxf6+ — bishop c3→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rg7 (rook g8→g7).
4. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e2→e8).
5. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 4, pin, very long. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/1p3p1p/p7/2n2p2/b7/8/PKBBr2P/3R4 b - - 13 33

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