Chess Puzzle #Hbhe9 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rooks a2/f2; pawns b5/c4/d3/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen b6; rooks g6/g8; knight f5; pawns a7/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne3 — knight f5→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa7+ — rook a2→a7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxa7 (queen b6→a7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f2→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d7→c8).
4. Best move: Rxa7 — rook f7→a7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, sacrifice, skewer. The key move Rxa7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/p2k1p2/1q2p1rp/1P3n2/2P5/3P4/R2Q1RPP/7K b - - 2 31

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