Chess Puzzle #HgcQG — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rook b6; pawns c5/f4/g3/h3. Black: king h5; rook c4; bishop d2; pawns a5/e3/f5/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook c4→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kf3 — king e2→f3. Opponent replies e2 (pawn e3→e2).
3. Best move: g4+ — pawn g3→g4, gives check. Opponent replies fxg4+ (pawn f5→g4, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: hxg4+ — pawn h3→g4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king h5→h4).
5. Best move: Rh6+ — rook b6→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Rh5 (rook c5→h5).
6. Best move: Rxh5# — rook h6→h5, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 5, very long. The combination ends with Rxh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/1R6/p1P2p1k/2r2P2/4p1PP/3bK3/8 b - - 0 42

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