Chess Puzzle #20ZoA — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/d2; bishops c4/h4; knights c3/e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen a5; rook h8; bishops c5/g6; knight h5; pawns a7/b7/c7/e6/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e5 — pawn e6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Be6+ — bishop c4→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook h8→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/ppp3pp/4ppb1/q1b4n/2B4B/2N2P2/PPPRN1PP/2KR4 b - - 1 16

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