Chess Puzzle #Il8I8 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rook c7; pawns a5/b6/d4/e3/f2/g3. Black: king g6; queen f3; rook d7; pawns a6/b7/d5/e4/g5/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook c7→d7, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: h3 — pawn h4→h3. Opponent replies Rd6+ (rook d7→d6, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh5 — king g6→h5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is h3.

Position data

FEN: 8/1pRr4/pP4k1/P2p2p1/3Pp2p/4PqP1/2Q2P2/6K1 w - - 0 41

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