Chess Puzzle #zL3u9 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f1; bishop d2; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c2/e3/g2/g5. Black: king b8; rooks g8/h2; bishop e5; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc3 — bishop d2→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rgh8 — rook g8→h8. Opponent replies Ng3 (knight e4→g3).
3. Best move: Rh1+ — rook h2→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh1 (knight g3→h1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bh2# — bishop e5→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, quiet move, sacrifice. The combination ends with Bh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k4r1/ppp2p2/8/4b1P1/4N1n1/4P3/PPPB2Pr/R4RK1 w - - 3 23

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