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

Position

White: king f6; rook f8; pawns a3/b2/e5/f4. Black: king d5; rook h2; bishop f5; pawns a6/b5/d2/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook h2→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh8 — rook f8→h8, captures rook. Opponent replies Bd7 (bishop f5→d7).
3. Best move: Rh1 — rook h8→h1. Opponent replies Bg4 (bishop d7→g4).
4. Best move: e6 — pawn e5→e6. Opponent replies Bxe6 (bishop g4→e6, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Rd1 — rook h1→d1.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, hanging piece, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxh8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5R2/8/p4Kp1/1p1kPb2/5P2/P7/1P1p3r/8 b - - 1 51

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