Chess Puzzle #9LHEn — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h7; rooks f1/g3; pawns a2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen g4; rooks d8/e8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b7/c5/e6/f5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook e8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh8 — queen h7→h8, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxh8 (bishop g7→h8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxg4 — rook g3→g4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxh8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3rr3/pp3kbQ/4p3/2p2p2/2P3q1/6R1/P5PP/5R1K b - - 6 31

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