Chess Puzzle #1RlR3 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook h1; bishop g2; knight d5; pawns a3/b4/c2/e4. Black: king g8; queen g3; bishops d7/f8; knight g4; pawns a6/b7/c7/d4/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c6 — pawn c7→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh3 — rook h1→h3. Opponent replies Bh6 (bishop f8→h6).
3. Best move: Qe2 — queen d2→e2. Opponent replies Qf2+ (queen g3→f2, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxf2 — queen e2→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Rh3.

Position data

FEN: 5bk1/1ppb3p/p5p1/3Np3/1P1pP1n1/P5q1/2PQ2B1/6KR b - - 1 28

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