Chess Puzzle #2rv1O — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d7; rook h1; pawns b2/b3/e4/f3/g6. Black: king h8; queen g5; rook c8; bishop h6; knight g7; pawns a7/d6/f4. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook c8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook h1→h6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh6 (queen g5→h6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d7→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight g7→e8).
4. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen d8→e8, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Rxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/p2Q2n1/3p2Pb/6q1/4Pp2/1P3P2/1P6/1K5R b - - 0 32

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