Chess Puzzle #38Ux3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g5; rooks a1/c8; bishop h6; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/f5/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen b4; rooks a7/h8; bishop f8; knight d7; pawns a6/b6/c7/f7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxh6 — bishop f8→h6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh8+ — rook c8→h8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king h7→h8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen g5→h6, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Rxh8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2R2b1r/r1pn1p1k/pp5B/3P1PQ1/1q6/8/PPPN2PP/R5K1 b - - 0 21

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