Chess Puzzle #2Mtzp — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen d4; rooks d1/h3; bishop g2; pawns f2/h7. Black: king h8; queen d7; rooks b8/e5; bishop c4; knight f7; pawn a7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd7 — queen d4→d7, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra5+ — rook e5→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Qa4 (queen d7→a4).
3. Best move: Rxa4+ — rook a5→a4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Ra3 (rook h3→a3).
4. Best move: Rxa3# — rook a4→a3, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxa3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/p2q1n1P/8/4r3/2bQ4/7R/5PB1/K2R4 w - - 1 44

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