Chess Puzzle #DPtmH — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g5; rooks d1/h1; bishop d2; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/c2/e5/f4/g2. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks b8/e8; bishop f8; knight d7; pawns a7/c6/d5/e6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa3 — queen a6→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h1→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king g8→h8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rh1+ — rook d1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
4. Best move: bxa3 — pawn b2→a3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move is Rh8+.

Position data

FEN: 1r2rbk1/p2n1p2/q1p1p1p1/3pP1Q1/5P2/P1N5/1PPB2P1/2KR3R b - - 1 20

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