Chess Puzzle #17VSx — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h2; rook a6; bishop g7; pawns f2/g4/h3. Black: king h4; rook a4; pawns e5/g5/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa6 — rook a4→a6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxe5 — bishop g7→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ra3 (rook a6→a3).
3. Best move: Bg3+ — bishop e5→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Rxg3 (rook a3→g3, captures bishop).
4. Best move: fxg3# — pawn f2→g3, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with fxg3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/6Bp/R7/4p1p1/r5Pk/7P/5P1K/8 b - - 0 43

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