Chess Puzzle #0O3GZ — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e8; rooks c6/g1; pawns b2/b3/b4/g3/h2. Black: king a7; queen f2; rooks g4/g7; pawns a6/b5/c7/e2/f5/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re4 — rook g4→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa6+ — rook c6→a6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa6 (king a7→a6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qc6+ — queen e8→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king a6→a7).
4. Best move: Ra1+ — rook g1→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king a7→b8).
5. Best move: Ra8# — rook a1→a8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 4, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Ra8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4Q3/k1p3r1/p1R5/1p3p1p/1P4r1/1P4P1/1P2pq1P/6RK b - - 3 29

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