Chess Puzzle #H1pOz — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rook f4; bishop f6; pawns e5/g5/h3. Black: king g8; queen c3; rook c8; bishop c5; pawns a3/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h4→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g8→h7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rh4+ — rook f4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
4. Best move: Rh8# — rook h4→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5p1p/4pBp1/2b1P1P1/5R1Q/p1q4P/8/7K b - - 0 41

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