Chess Puzzle #motdx — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; rooks b1/e2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/h6. Black: king h7; rooks b6/b8; pawns a6/c4/d5/f5/f6/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh6 — king h7→h6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re7 — rook e2→e7. Opponent replies g5+ (pawn g6→g5, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf5 — king f4→f5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxb2 (rook b6→b2, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rh1+ — rook b1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Rh2 (rook b2→h2).
5. Best move: Rxh2# — rook h1→h2, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 4, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The combination ends with Rxh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/7k/pr3ppP/3p1p2/2pP1K2/2P5/PP2R3/1R6 b - - 1 38

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