Chess Puzzle #03IJa — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d6; rook b7; pawns f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook f8; pawns a3/b6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8 — rook b7→b8. Opponent replies h6 (pawn h7→h6).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook b8→f8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1R3ppp/1p1Q4/q7/8/p5PP/5P1K/8 b - - 1 38

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