Chess Puzzle #4ouEq — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook c1; bishop c4; knight f4; pawns a4/b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king b4; rook a8; bishop b7; knight d4; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd3+ — knight f4→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king b4→a5).
3. Best move: b4+ — pawn b3→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa4 (king a5→a4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Ra1# — rook c1→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r7/pb3ppp/1p2p3/8/PkBn1N2/1P5P/5PP1/2R3K1 b - - 0 25

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