Chess Puzzle #2SNcW — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks a7/b8; pawns a5/e4/f4. Black: king c6; rooks d3/d6; knight e3; pawns c5/d4/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c5→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb6+ — rook b8→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Kc5 (king c6→c5).
3. Best move: Rc7+ — rook a7→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Rc6 (rook d6→c6).
4. Best move: Rcxc6# — rook c7→c6, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rcxc6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1R6/R4p2/2krp2p/P1p5/3pPP2/3rn3/7K/8 b - - 0 36

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