Solution (source code)

= Solution

Write $\mathbb F_2=\mathbb Z/2$. A double covering has a <deck transformation> $\tau$ that exchanges the two points in every fibre. Every singular simplex $\sigma:\Delta^q\to Y$ has exactly two lifts $\widetilde\sigma$ and $\tau\widetilde\sigma$. Define the mod-two <transfer chain map of a double covering> by
$$
T(\sigma)=\widetilde\sigma+\tau\widetilde\sigma,
$$
and let $f_\#$ send a simplex of $X$ to its composite with $f$. Uniqueness of lifted faces shows that $T$ commutes with the <boundary operator>, so both maps are <chain map>[chain maps].

For each base simplex, its two lifts span a copy of $\mathbb F_2^2$. On this summand, $T$ is $a\mapsto(a,a)$ and $f_\#$ is $(a,b)\mapsto a+b$. Hence the sequence is exact in every degree:
$$
\boxed{0\longrightarrow C_*(Y;\mathbb F_2)
\xrightarrow{T}C_*(X;\mathbb F_2)
\xrightarrow{f_\#}C_*(Y;\mathbb F_2)
\longrightarrow0.}
$$