Chess Puzzle #1s09s — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h7; rook h1; bishop b5; knight h4; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rooks d7/f8; bishop c6; pawns a6/b6/c7/f5/f7. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc6 — bishop b5→c6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook f8→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Be4 (bishop c6→e4).
3. Best move: Rxe4+ — rook e8→e4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e1→f1).
4. Best move: Rd1# — rook d7→d1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k2r2/2pr1p1Q/ppb5/1B3p2/7N/2P5/P4PPP/4K2R w K - 0 20

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