Chess Puzzle #4DOuL — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen b6; rooks b8/h1; bishops e3/f1; knight a8; pawns c2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen a1; rook h8; bishops c8/g7; knight e8; pawns a7/c6/d7/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb6 — pawn a7→b6, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxb6+ — bishop e3→b6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nc7 (knight e8→c7).
3. Best move: Bxc7+ — bishop b6→c7, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d8→e8).
4. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→c8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: NRbkn2r/p2pppbp/1Qp3p1/8/4P3/4B3/2P1KPPP/q4B1R b - - 7 16

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