Chess Puzzle #7KeOd — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rooks g5/g6; pawns a2/b2/c2. Black: king d5; rooks h2/h7; pawns a7/d4/e3/f3. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc4 — king d5→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc6+ — rook g6→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb4 (king c4→b4).
3. Best move: a3+ — pawn a2→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king b4→a4).
4. Best move: Ra6# — rook c6→a6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Ra6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p6r/6R1/3k2R1/3p4/4pp2/PPP4r/5K2 b - - 9 44

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