Chess Puzzle #W8IUa — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; rooks f2/h5; pawns b3/c5/f5/g2/g6. Black: king f8; rooks b4/e7; pawns a6/b7/c6/d5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg6 — pawn h7→g6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h5→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
3. Best move: Rh7+ — rook h8→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f7→g8).
4. Best move: Rxe7 — rook h7→e7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame, skewer. The key move is Rh8+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/1p2r2p/p1p3P1/2Pp1P1R/1r6/1P5K/5RP1/8 b - - 0 41

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