Chess Puzzle #7E7mQ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rook a7; knight e3; pawns b2/c3/d4/f2/g4. Black: king h4; queen e4; pawns b3/c4/d5/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra6 — rook a7→a6. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h6→h5).
3. Best move: Rh6 — rook a6→h6. Opponent replies Qb1+ (queen e4→b1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg2 — king f1→g2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Ra6.

Position data

FEN: 8/R6p/8/3p2p1/2pPq1Pk/1pP1N3/1P3P2/5K2 b - - 2 36

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