Chess Puzzle #2ihZi — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f6; rook e2; bishop d3; pawns c2/f4/g3/g7. Black: king g8; rook g1; bishop c5; knight e3; pawns a2/c3/d4/e6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a1=Q — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxh7+ — bishop d3→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g8→h7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rh2+ — rook e2→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
4. Best move: Rh8# — rook h2→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pPp/4pK2/2b5/3p1P2/2pBn1P1/p1P1R3/6r1 b - - 0 39

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