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

Rating 2237 · Expert · attraction, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, queenside attack.

Position

White: king c1; queen f3; rooks d1/h1; bishop f6; knight g3; pawns a3/c2/d4/f2/g2/h6. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks b8/c8; bishop e7; pawns a4/d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe7 — bishop f6→e7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc2+ — rook c8→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc2 (king c1→c2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qb2+ — queen b6→b2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king c2→d3).
  4. Best move: Rb3# — rook b8→b3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rb3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1rr3k1/4bp1p/1q2pBpP/3p4/p2P4/P4QN1/2P2PP1/2KR3R w - - 1 25

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.