Chess Puzzle #cW7lk — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks a1/f1; pawns b3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king b7; queen d5; rooks d8/h8; pawns b5/c4/c7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb3 — pawn c4→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra7+ — rook a1→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa7 (king b7→a7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc7+ — queen c3→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qb7 (queen d5→b7).
4. Best move: Ra1# — rook f1→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Ra1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/1kp2p1p/6p1/1p1q4/2p5/1PQ3P1/5P1P/R4RK1 b - - 0 23

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