Chess Puzzle #2Aqky — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks c7/d1; bishop c2; pawns a2/c3/f3/g2. Black: king h8; rooks d8/f6; knight h4; pawns a6/b7/e5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook d8→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d1→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f6→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook d8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, pillsburys mate. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/1pR3p1/p4r1p/4p3/7n/2P2P2/P1B3PK/3R4 b - - 2 29

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