Chess Puzzle #6snaQ — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g5; rook a7; pawns g4/h5. Black: king h7; rook a1; pawns a2/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king h7→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kg6 — king g5→g6. Opponent replies Rb1 (rook a1→b1).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook b1→b8).
4. Best move: Rxb8# — rook a8→b8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/R5pk/8/6KP/6P1/8/p7/r7 b - - 1 48

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