Chess Puzzle #1AyiQ — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f4; rook f6; pawns a3/b5/h3. Black: king a7; rook d7; pawns a6/b7/e4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re7 — rook d7→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b6+ — pawn b5→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king a7→b8).
3. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f6→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook f8→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: 8/kp1r4/p4R2/1P6/4pK2/P6P/8/8 b - - 0 49

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