Chess Puzzle #73Tto — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks b7/f1; bishop f3; pawns a2/c3/c4/d4/g4/h2. Black: king c8; queen e3; rooks e8/h8; bishop d6; pawns a6/c7/h3. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb3 — queen d1→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen e3→f3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf3 (rook f1→f3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f3→f1).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r2r/1Rp5/p2b4/8/2PP2P1/2P1qB1p/P6P/3Q1R1K w - - 1 33

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