Chess Puzzle #R8B7J — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f4; rook e7; pawns a2/c3/g2. Black: king h5; rook b2; pawns a6/c4/c6/e2/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook b2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re6 — rook e7→e6. Opponent replies Ra5 (rook a2→a5).
3. Best move: g4+ — pawn g2→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king h5→h4).
4. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook e6→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rh5 (rook a5→h5).
5. Best move: Rxh5# — rook h6→h5, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 4, rook endgame, very long. The combination ends with Rxh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/4R3/p1p4p/7k/2p2K2/2P5/Pr2p1P1/8 b - - 1 42

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