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

Position

White: king b2; rooks b7/d6; pawns a2/b3. Black: king b5; queen g1; rook g5; pawns a7/e6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka5 — king b5→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b4+ — pawn b3→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king a5→a4).
3. Best move: Ra6+ — rook d6→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Ra5 (rook g5→a5).
4. Best move: Rxa5# — rook a6→a5, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, queen rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxa5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/pR6/3Rp3/1k4r1/8/1P6/PK6/6q1 b - - 7 45

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