Chess Puzzle #X3q9w — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c1; rooks e1/f1; bishop c4; pawns a2/b2/c3/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks e8/f3; bishop d7; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/e4/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh3 — rook f3→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: gxh3 — pawn g2→h3, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxh3 (bishop d7→h3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Re3 — rook e1→e3.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move gxh3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pppb3p/3p2p1/3P4/2B1p2q/2P2r1P/PP3PP1/2Q1RRK1 b - - 2 20

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