Chess Puzzle #9ITo3 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks c2/f1; bishop b7; pawns a4/b5/c4/d3/e2/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks e8/f5; bishop e6; pawns a7/c7/d4/d6/g4/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh6 — queen d2→h6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh5 — rook f5→h5. Opponent replies Qg6+ (queen h6→g6, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf8 — king g8→f8.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move is Rh5.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pBp5/3pb2p/1P2qr2/P1Pp2p1/3P4/2RQPP1P/5RK1 w - - 5 24

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