Chess Puzzle #BM98C — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; rooks c1/g1; knight g6; pawns a2/b2/h4. Black: king g8; queen e4; bishop f6; pawns a6/b5/e3/e6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e2 — pawn e3→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop f6→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Rf8# — rook d8→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6p1/p3pbNp/1p6/4q2P/4p2K/PP6/2R3R1 b - - 4 33

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