Chess Puzzle #4Zs1Z — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks d1/f1; bishop g3; pawns a2/b2/e4/f2/f4/h2. Black: king f8; queen h5; rooks e6/g8; bishop b6; pawns a7/d6/f3/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f4→f5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh2+ — queen h5→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king g1→h2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rh6+ — rook e6→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Bh4 (bishop g3→h4).
4. Best move: Rxh4# — rook h6→h4, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, pin, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5kr1/p6p/1b1pr3/7q/4PP2/2Q2pB1/PP3P1P/3R1RK1 w - - 0 21

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