Chess Puzzle #4Z4n3 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks a1/e1; bishops c4/c5; knight b1; pawns a4/b2/c2/d3/f2. Black: king e8; rook a8; bishops c8/h2; pawns a6/b6/d7/e6/f7/g3. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be3 — bishop c5→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bb7+ — bishop c8→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Bd5 (bishop c4→d5).
3. Best move: Bxd5+ — bishop b7→d5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f2→f3).
4. Best move: Bxf3# — bishop d5→f3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

exposed king, kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Bxf3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k3/3p1p2/pp2p3/2B5/P1B5/3P2p1/1PP2P1b/RN2R2K w q - 0 19

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