Chess Puzzle #9Nfp0 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rooks d1/h1; bishop h3; pawns a2/b2/c2/h2. Black: king h8; rook f8; knights e5/h4; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg3 — king f2→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf3+ — rook f8→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh4 (king g3→h4, captures knight).
3. Best move: g5+ — pawn g7→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king h4→h5).
4. Best move: Rxh3# — rook f3→h3, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/pp4p1/2p4p/4n3/7n/7B/PPP2K1P/3R3R w - - 4 23

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