Chess Puzzle #3r2Xk — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g4; rooks b7/f3; knight a5; pawns a2/c2/g5/h5. Black: king g7; rooks a8/e2; bishop e5; pawns b4/f7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa5 — rook a8→a5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rbxf7+ — rook b7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g7→h8).
3. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
4. Best move: R3f7+ — rook f3→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Bg7 (bishop e5→g7).
5. Best move: g6+ — pawn g5→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king h7→h6).
6. Best move: Rh8+ — rook f8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxh8 (bishop g7→h8, captures rook).
7. Best move: Rh7# — rook f7→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 5, pin, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Rh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r7/1R3pk1/8/N3b1PP/1p4K1/5R2/P1P1r3/8 b - - 6 34

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