Chess Puzzle #1AP2r — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks b7/e2; pawns a4/b2/g2/h6. Black: king g8; rooks d5/e8; pawns a6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook e8→e2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d5→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook b8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e2→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1R3p1p/p5pP/3r4/P7/8/1P2R1P1/6K1 b - - 0 32

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