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

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/h1; bishops b5/e7; knight d2; pawns b3/c2/c6/e4/g4/h3. Black: king g8; rooks a2/a8; bishop c3; pawns b7/c5/d6/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb7 — pawn c6→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Nb1 (knight d2→b1).
3. Best move: Rxb1+ — rook a1→b1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb1 (king c1→b1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Ra1# — rook a8→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, opera mate, queenside attack, sacrifice. The combination ends with Ra1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p2Bp2/2Pp2pp/1Bp5/4P1P1/1Pb4P/r1PN4/2KR3R w - - 1 22

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