Chess Puzzle #3rDsd — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f5; rook c6; pawns f4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; rook a1; bishop b2; pawns a5/c5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kg6 — king f5→g6. Opponent replies Re1 (rook a1→e1).
3. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e1→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/6p1/2R4p/p1p2K2/5P2/6P1/1b5P/r7 b - - 1 39

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