Chess Puzzle #8IlpP — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c7; rooks d1/h1; bishop c4; pawns a2/b2/c5/e3/f2/f4. Black: king g6; queen f6; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/g5; pawns a7/b7/e6/f5/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bh6 — bishop g5→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook h1→h6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh6 (king g6→h6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rh1+ — rook d1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h6→g6).
4. Best move: Be2 — bishop c4→e2.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, defensive move, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2r2/ppQ3p1/4pqk1/2P2pb1/2B2P2/4P3/PP3P2/2KR3R b - - 0 20

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