Chess Puzzle #MaTiX — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; queen e5; rooks a1/g4; bishop g2; pawns a2/c3/d4. Black: king d7; queen f5; rooks b2/h8; pawns a7/c7/e6/f4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf4 — rook g4→f4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh3+ — rook h8→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Bxh3 (bishop g2→h3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen f5→h3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Ke4 (king f3→e4).
4. Best move: Re2# — rook b2→e2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Re2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7r/p1pk4/4p3/4Qq2/3P1pR1/2P2K2/Pr4B1/R7 w - - 0 33

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