Chess Puzzle #UTHkp — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen e5; rooks e1/e3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2. Black: king g7; queen g2; rooks g6/h8; bishop d7; pawns a6/b7/c6/e6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g7→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rg1 — rook e1→g1. Opponent replies Qxg1 (queen g2→g1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rh3+ — rook e3→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Rh6 (rook g6→h6).
4. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook h3→h6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh6 (king h7→h6, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qxh8+ — queen e5→h8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h6→g6).
6. Best move: Qg8+ — queen h8→g8, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, exposed king, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7r/1p1b2k1/p1p1p1r1/4Q3/3P4/2P1R3/PP2KPq1/4R3 b - - 1 36

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