Chess Puzzle #1Zlws — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b4; rook g5; bishop c1; knight f6; pawns a2/b3/d4/e4. Black: king c8; rooks h2/h3; knight b6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook h2→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rg8+ — rook g5→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c8→c7).
3. Best move: Bf4+ — bishop c1→f4, gives check. Opponent replies e5 (pawn e6→e5).
4. Best move: Bxe5# — bishop f4→e5, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Bxe5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pp6/1np1pN2/6R1/1K1PP3/1P5r/P6r/2B5 b - - 8 34

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