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

Position

White: king h2; rook b7; knight e4; pawns f3/g2/h4. Black: king h6; rook c2; knight c1; pawns b2/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne2 — knight c1→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ng5 — knight e4→g5. Opponent replies Rc7 (rook c2→c7).
3. Best move: Rxc7 — rook b7→c7, captures rook. Opponent replies b1=Q (pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen).
4. Best move: Rxh7# — rook c7→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, hook mate, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/1R5p/6pk/8/4N2P/5P2/1pr3PK/2n5 b - - 0 42

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