Chess Puzzle #42jak — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; rooks e1/e2; bishop f3; pawns a2/b3/c3/f2/g5/h5. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook a8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c4/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb3 — pawn c4→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: h6# — pawn h5→h6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with h6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp3p1p/2n3p1/q5PP/2p5/1PP2B2/PK2RP2/4R3 b - - 0 24

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