Chess Puzzle #23n8L — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks b1/h6; knight f1; pawns a3/c6/h2. Black: king b8; rooks c2/e2; bishop c4; pawns a6/c7/e3/f4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka7 — king b8→a7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb7+ — rook b1→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king a7→a8).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h6→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Bg8 (bishop c4→g8).
4. Best move: Rxg8# — rook h8→g8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/2p5/p1P4R/8/2b2p2/P3p3/2r1r2P/1R3N1K b - - 2 35

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