Chess Puzzle #12rZg — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rooks h1/h7; bishop e3; pawns a2/e4/g2. Black: king g7; queen c3; rook f8; bishop g4; pawns a7/b7/c6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king g7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: R1h6+ — rook h1→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king f6→e5).
3. Best move: Re7+ — rook h7→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Be6 (bishop g4→e6).
4. Best move: Rhxe6# — rook h6→e6, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rhxe6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/pp4kR/2p5/8/4P1b1/2q1B1K1/P5P1/7R b - - 2 31

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