Chess Puzzle #21x5V — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king h1; rooks c7/g7; pawns g2/g5/h3. Black: king h4; rook a2; pawns a6/c5/d6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh7+ — rook g7→h7, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kg3 — king h4→g3. Opponent replies Rcf7 (rook c7→f7).
3. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f7→f1).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook a1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/2R3R1/p2p4/2p3P1/7k/7P/r5P1/7K w - - 3 35

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