Chess Puzzle #1iHkq — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rook g1; bishops e2/h2; pawns a3/b4/c2/d6/h3. Black: king g7; rooks a8/h8; bishop c6; knight g8; pawns a6/b5/d7/e6/h4. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh6 — king g7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bf4+ — bishop h2→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h6→h7).
3. Best move: Bd3+ — bishop e2→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Be4 (bishop c6→e4).
4. Best move: Bxe4# — bishop d3→e4, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, morphys mate. The combination ends with Bxe4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5nr/3p2k1/p1bPp3/1p6/1P5p/P3K2P/2P1B2B/6R1 b - - 2 30

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