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

Position

White: king c1; queen e2; rooks d1/e1; bishops b4/b7; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks c7/h8; knights e6/f6; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook c7→b7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight e6→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Nxe8 (knight f6→e8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6kr/pBr2ppp/4nn2/8/1BP5/7q/PP2QP1P/2KRR3 b - - 4 19

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