Chess Puzzle #3PClS — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d5; rook g1; knight e6; pawns b4/f5/h4. Black: king f7; rook h2; bishop c3; pawns a2/b5/e7/f6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a1=Q — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rg7+ — rook g1→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f7→e8).
3. Best move: Rg8+ — rook g7→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
4. Best move: Rd8# — rook g8→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, hook mate, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/4pk2/4Np1p/1p1K1P2/1P5P/2b5/p6r/6R1 b - - 1 45

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