Chess Puzzle #2sTOW — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; rooks e2/e5; bishop g6; pawns a2/c4/c5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a5/f4; bishop a6; pawns a4/c6/c7/d7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc4 — bishop a6→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f4→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook e8→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Re8# — rook e2→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2pp2p1/b1p3Bp/r1P1R3/p1P2r2/8/P1K1R1PP/8 b - - 1 30

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