Chess Puzzle #1a4FY — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a7/b7; bishop f3; knight e2; pawns e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king d8; rooks c5/c8; bishops e5/e6; pawns d5/f7/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg4 — bishop f3→g4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c5→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc1 (knight e2→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bd1 (bishop g4→d1).
4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2rk4/RR3p2/4b3/2rpb3/7p/4PB1P/4NPP1/6K1 w - - 4 36

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