Chess Puzzle #WiCj3 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f7; rook e3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/b3/f2/g4/h2. Black: king h6; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop b4; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop b4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: f4 — pawn f2→f4. Opponent replies Be1 (bishop c3→e1).
3. Best move: Rh3+ — rook e3→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Bh4 (bishop e1→h4).
4. Best move: Rxh4# — rook h3→h4, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, quiet move. The combination ends with Rxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q3r/pp3Q1p/2p2ppk/3p4/1b4P1/1PN1R3/PP3PKP/8 b - - 2 21

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