Chess Puzzle #2Q7zA — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks c1/h5; bishop g6; pawns a2/b3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/b4; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/g4/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook a8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf1 — rook c1→f1. Opponent replies Rf4 (rook b4→f4).
3. Best move: Bh7+ — bishop g6→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf4+ — rook f1→f4, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move Rxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pb4p1/1p2p1B1/3pP2R/1r4p1/1P6/P5PP/2R4K b - - 1 35

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