Chess Puzzle #LOh0x — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d4; rooks h3/h4; pawns a5/b2/c3/e5/f4/g5/h2. Black: king h8; queen b7; rooks f7/f8; pawns a6/b5/c4/d5/e6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa7 — queen b7→a7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh7+ — rook h4→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxh7 (rook f7→h7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxa7 — queen d4→a7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move Rxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1q3r1p/p3p1p1/Pp1pP1P1/2pQ1P1R/2P4R/1P4KP/8 b - - 8 36

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