Chess Puzzle #LGvVX — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen c3; rooks h1/h6; pawns a3/b4/c5/d4/e3/f4/g4. Black: king h8; queen e2; rooks a7/f7; pawns c6/e4/f6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxa3+ — rook a7→a3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa3 (king b3→a3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ra7+ — rook f7→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb3 (king a3→b3).
4. Best move: Qa2# — queen e2→a2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qa2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/r4r1p/2p2p1R/2P5/1P1PpPP1/PKQ1P3/4q3/7R w - - 3 38

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