Chess Puzzle #KIHP8 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; rook d8; bishop g3; knight c5; pawns a2/b2/d4. Black: king b5; rook g6; knight c4; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/g5/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a4+ — pawn a2→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king b5→a5).
3. Best move: Be1+ — bishop g3→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Nd2 (knight c4→d2).
4. Best move: Bxd2# — bishop e1→d2, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Bxd2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/pp3pp1/2p3r1/1kNp2p1/2nP4/3K2B1/PP6/8 b - - 15 40

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