Chess Puzzle #4ASwl — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen b1; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight a3; pawns a2/b2/d2/e2. Black: king c8; queen f2; rook g2; bishop d6; knight b4; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rg1+ — rook g2→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
3. Best move: Bg3+ — bishop d6→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king e1→d1).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook g1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, pin. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pp3p2/3bp3/3p4/1n6/N7/PP1PPqr1/RQB1KR2 w Q - 0 18

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