Chess Puzzle #62Yko — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d4; rooks a7/c1; bishop a3; pawns d3/h5. Black: king g8; rooks c8/h2; pawns a5/d5/e6/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook c8→c1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c1→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook a8→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Rf8# — rook c8→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/R5pp/4pp2/p2p3P/3K4/B2P4/7r/2R5 b - - 5 36

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