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

Position

White: king h1; queen d4; rooks e3/f1; pawns a2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks a8/c5; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h4 — pawn h2→h4. Opponent replies Qh6 (queen g5→h6).
3. Best move: Qf6 — queen d4→f6. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen h6→f8).
4. Best move: Qe6+ — queen f6→e6, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is h4.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/ppp4p/3p2p1/2r3q1/2PQ4/4R3/P5PP/5R1K b - - 4 23

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