Chess Puzzle #1Ua4l — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; rooks c6/d1; pawns a2/e3/f4/f6/g5/h4. Black: king g8; rooks b8/c4; pawns a7/c5/e6/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka3 — king b2→a3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc3+ — rook c4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king a3→a4).
3. Best move: Rb4+ — rook b8→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king a4→a5).
4. Best move: Ra3# — rook c3→a3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, master, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Ra3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p4p2/2R1pPp1/2p3Pp/2r2P1P/4P3/PK6/3R4 w - - 1 30

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