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

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rook h2; pawns a3/d4/f4/g3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rook f8; pawns b4/b5/d5/e4/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxa3 — pawn b4→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh7 — rook h2→h7. Opponent replies Rf7 (rook f8→f7).
3. Best move: Qh5 — queen g6→h5. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
4. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h7→h8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, master. The key move is Rh7.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/6p1/3qp1Q1/1p1p4/1p1PpP2/P5P1/7R/6K1 b - - 1 35

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