Chess Puzzle #2x1vX — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen c2; rooks b1/b2; pawns a4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks d4/e7; bishop c7; pawns f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg3 — bishop c7→g3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b2→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxb8 (bishop g3→b8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxb8+ — rook b1→b8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d4→d8).
4. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook b8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
5. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 4, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2b1rpp1/5q1p/8/P2r4/7P/1RQ2PP1/1R3K2 b - - 1 42

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