Chess Puzzle #0Y9P3 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f5; rook e7; pawn e4. Black: king h8; rook g3; pawns d6/g5/h4. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h4→h3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kg6 — king f5→g6. Opponent replies Rf3 (rook g3→f3).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f3→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/4R3/3p4/5Kp1/4P2p/6r1/8/8 b - - 1 42

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