Chess Puzzle #B2cgb — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h3; rooks c7/h6; bishops b2/e2; pawns a3/b4/d4/e3/f2/f4/h2. Black: king h8; queen e6; rooks b8/g8; knights f6/f8; pawns a6/b7/d5/e4/f5/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh6 — pawn g7→h6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen h3→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies N6h7 (knight f6→h7).
3. Best move: Rxh7+ — rook c7→h7, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh7 (knight f8→h7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe6 — queen h6→e6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, exposed king, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r3nrk/1pR3p1/p3qn1R/3p1p2/1P1PpP2/P3P2Q/1B2BP1P/7K b - - 0 28

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