Chess Puzzle #CIB57 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e7; rook d6; pawns a5/b5/d4. Black: king c7; rook c4; pawns a7/b7/d5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook c4→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b6+ — pawn b5→b6, gives check. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: axb6+ — pawn a5→b6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king c7→c8).
4. Best move: Rd8# — rook d6→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/ppk1K3/3R4/PP1p4/2rP4/8/8/8 b - - 4 53

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