Chess Puzzle #1VJh4 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rooks b1/f1; pawns a3/b4/g2/g3/g6. Black: king g8; queen d3; rooks d7/f8; pawns a6/b5/c6/f7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxg6 — pawn f7→g6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qf6+ — queen h4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
4. Best move: Re1 — rook b1→e1.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/3r1p2/p1p3P1/1p5p/1P5Q/P2q2P1/6P1/1R3R1K b - - 0 31

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