Chess Puzzle #0aCRR — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; rooks c2/c4; bishop c1; pawns d5/g4. Black: king g8; rooks a1/b1; bishop e5; pawns a5/d6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: R2c7+ — rook c2→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king f7→f6).
4. Best move: Rf8# — rook c8→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/7p/3p2p1/p2Pb3/2R3P1/8/2R5/rrBK4 b - - 3 31

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