Chess Puzzle #2Sy5s — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook a6; knight f3; pawns c3/g2/h3. Black: king g6; rook e3; knights d3/f5; pawns c4/g7/h4. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g6→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ng5+ — knight f3→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e3→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook a8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/R5k1/5n2/2p4p/2PnrN1P/6P1/6K1 b - - 1 36

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