Chess Puzzle #4DX9e — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen c6; rook h1; pawns b2/c3/d5/e4/g2. Black: king d8; queen b8; rook a2; knight g4; pawns b3/c5/d6/f4/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight g4→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h1→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d8→e7).
3. Best move: Rxb8 — rook h8→b8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Rh8+.

Position data

FEN: 1q1k4/5p2/2Qp2p1/2pP4/4Ppn1/1pP5/rP2K1P1/7R b - - 7 35

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