Chess Puzzle #T1Gvb — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen f3; rooks a1/h2; bishops b2/g2; pawns a3/b5/d4. Black: king f6; queen b8; rook a8; bishop h6; knight h4; pawns a7/b7/d5/f5. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf3 — knight h4→f3, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook h2→h6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f6→g7).
3. Best move: Rah1 — rook a1→h1. Opponent replies Ng5 (knight f3→g5).
4. Best move: Bc1 — bishop b2→c1.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move Rxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rq6/pp6/5k1b/1P1p1p2/3P3n/P4Q2/1B3KBR/R7 b - - 0 31

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