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

Position

White: king f3; rooks c1/h1; bishop d2; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h6. Black: king g8; rooks d8/e8; bishop f5; pawns a6/b7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc3 — bishop d2→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd3+ — rook d8→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf4 (king f3→f4).
3. Best move: Re4+ — rook e8→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg5 (king f4→g5).
4. Best move: f6+ — pawn f7→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf6 (king g5→f6, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Rd6+ — rook d3→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg5 (king f6→g5).
6. Best move: Rg4# — rook e4→g4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, exposed king, mate, mate in 5, very long. The combination ends with Rg4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/1p3p1p/p5pP/5b2/8/P4K2/1P1B1PP1/2R4R w - - 5 27

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