Chess Puzzle #eFAUl — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rooks b8/d8; pawns d5/e4/h4. Black: king h7; rooks b3/g4; pawns b4/e5/f7/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g6→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook d8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h7→g6).
3. Best move: Rb6+ — rook b8→b6, gives check. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
4. Best move: h5+ — pawn h4→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g6→f7).
5. Best move: Rb7# — rook b6→b7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 4, rook endgame, very long. The combination ends with Rb7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1R1R4/5ppk/6p1/3Pp3/1p2P1rP/1r6/5K2/8 b - - 7 40

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.