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

Position

White: king d2; rooks c1/f1; bishop f7; pawns a4/g2/h6. Black: king g8; queen e4; rook a7; bishop h4; pawns a5/b4/d6/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook a7→f7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop h4→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
4. Best move: Rfxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rfxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/r4B1p/3p2pP/p3p3/Pp2q2b/8/3K2P1/2R2R2 b - - 0 36

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