Chess Puzzle #0Mm3b — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h5; rook c7; knight e4; pawns a2/b2. Black: king h7; rook g2; knight g6; pawns a7/b6/e5/f6/g7/h4. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h4→h3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight e4→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
3. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Nf8 (knight g6→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook c8→f8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, pin. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1R3pk/1p3pn1/4p2K/4N2p/8/PP4r1/8 b - - 3 40

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