Chess Puzzle #9oaoi — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; rook h1; bishops c4/e3; pawns a4/e4/g3/h2. Black: king c7; rook b2; bishops d6/h5; pawns c5/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe6 — bishop c4→e6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Be2+ — bishop h5→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kc3 (king d3→c3).
3. Best move: Be5+ — bishop d6→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Bd4 (bishop e3→d4).
4. Best move: Bxd4# — bishop e5→d4, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Bxd4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/2k3pp/3bp3/2p4b/P1B1P3/3KB1P1/1r5P/7R w - - 1 25

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