Chess Puzzle #SBXbM — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c2; rook b1; bishop c1; pawns a4/c3/f2. Black: king e7; queen e5; rook h8; pawns a6/b5/d5/e6/f7/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be3 — bishop c1→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh2+ — rook h8→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g2→f1).
3. Best move: Qxe3 — queen e5→e3, captures bishop. Opponent replies fxe3 (pawn f2→e3, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc2 — rook h2→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Rh2+.

Position data

FEN: 7r/4kpp1/p3p3/1p1pq3/P7/2P5/2Q2PK1/1RB5 w - - 3 32

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