Chess Puzzle #0hHYa — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; rooks c3/h2; knight d4; pawns a3/e3/g3. Black: king a8; queen a5; knight d3; pawns a4/b7/e4/f5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen a5→c3, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h2→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king a8→a7).
3. Best move: Nb5+ — knight d4→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king a7→b6).
4. Best move: Nxc3 — knight b5→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Rh8+.

Position data

FEN: k7/1p6/8/q4p2/p2Np3/P1RnP1P1/K6R/8 b - - 0 42

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