Chess Puzzle #QB04A — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e3; rooks b7/c6; knight g3; pawn f3. Black: king b2; queen h2; pawns b6/d5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg3 — queen h2→g3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rcxb6+ — rook c6→b6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc2 (king b2→c2).
3. Best move: Rc6+ — rook b6→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king c2→d1).
4. Best move: Rb1# — rook b7→b1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, queen rook endgame. The combination ends with Rb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/1R6/1pR5/3p4/8/4KPN1/1k5q/8 b - - 14 61

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