Ok, this might be the stupidest question ever asked on here but I have no shame because I cannot figure it out. I am trying to make a board game and I need to erase the parts of the shapes that overlap. I managed this once by using paths: exclusions for the outside border (trial and error). However, I cannot get it done with the four rectangles. Is there a certain way to use the paths so that it stops when it intersects another line? Or if I could make the rectangles two separate parts when they intersect I could erase the unwanted part of the object with the eraser tool. Or is there an easier way to do this that does not involve freehanding every line and shape? ANY and ALL suggestions are welcome :) Also, I'm sorry for the photo of my screen (it is very boomer of me) but screenshot was not working on my mac. Thank you so much!

You can do it by copy, and the paste in place for the centre rectangle.

Then combine path on the outside long rectangles.

Then select one of the copied centre rectangles, and the combined path. 

Use Path>Division, then delete the inner fragments. Then select the remaining inner rectangle with the long rectangle fractions and path>Union.

Animated of Inklinea's method, approximately. I think this is what the OP described.

You are both amazing! Thank you!

You are great thanks.