Chess Puzzle #E3OSm — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; rooks c8/h2; bishop d3; knight g1; pawns g3/h4. Black: king g8; rooks a8/f8; bishop e8; knight b8; pawns a7/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd7 — bishop e8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc4+ — bishop d3→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Be6 (bishop d7→e6).
3. Best move: Bxe6+ — bishop c4→e6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook c8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rnR1brk1/p5pp/5p2/8/7P/3B2P1/3K3R/6N1 b - - 4 31

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