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

Position

White: king f5; rook b7; pawns e3/e7/g3/h4. Black: king d8; rook a1; pawns a4/b3/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke8 — king d8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ke6 — king f5→e6. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook a1→c1).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c1→c8).
4. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3k4/1R2P1p1/8/5K1p/p6P/1p2P1P1/8/r7 b - - 0 47

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