Chess Puzzle #4oWU5 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; rooks g1/h8; bishop b1; pawns a2/b2/d4/e5. Black: king e7; rooks a6/a7; knight e3; pawns c6/f7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rgg8 — rook g1→g8. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc2+ — knight e3→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc2 (bishop b1→c2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxa2+ — rook a6→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king a1→b1).
4. Best move: Ra1# — rook a2→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Ra1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7R/r3kp2/r1p4p/4P3/3P4/4n3/PP6/KB4R1 w - - 10 39

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