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

Position

White: king g1; rooks d4/f1; pawn a3. Black: king g7; rooks a8/h7; pawns a7/b7/c7/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook a8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd7+ — rook d4→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
3. Best move: Rxh7+ — rook d7→h7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king h6→h7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxf8 — rook f1→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/ppp3kr/6p1/8/3R4/P7/8/5RK1 b - - 7 31

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