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

Position

White: king a2; rooks b3/d2; bishop d3; pawn c3. Black: king h8; queen d4; rooks c7/e3; pawns a3/b4/d5/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 10 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b4→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b3→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c7→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook b8→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e3→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, pillsburys mate. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/2r3p1/8/3p3p/1p1q4/pRPBr3/K2R4/8 b - - 0 42

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