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

Position

White: king g3; rook a7; knight e6; pawns f3/g2/h4. Black: king g6; rook a1; knight c3; pawns a3/f6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf8+ — knight e6→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king g6→f5).
3. Best move: Ra5+ — rook a7→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Nb5 (knight c3→b5).
4. Best move: Rxb5# — rook a5→b5, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxb5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/R7/4Npk1/7p/7P/p1n2PK1/6P1/r7 b - - 1 45

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