Chess Puzzle #IBTGP — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; rook a6; pawns c3/e3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king e6; rook c7; pawns a7/d5/e5/g5/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf5 — king e6→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: g4+ — pawn g2→g4, gives check. Opponent replies hxg3 (pawn h4→g3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: e4+ — pawn e3→e4, gives check. Opponent replies dxe4+ (pawn d5→e4, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: fxe4+ — pawn f3→e4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf4 (king f5→f4).
5. Best move: Rf6# — rook a6→f6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 4, rook endgame, very long. The combination ends with Rf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1r5/R3k3/3pp1p1/7p/2PKPP1P/6P1/8 b - - 3 36

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