Chess Puzzle #dUU80 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rook f1; pawns a2/b4/c3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen d6; rook c8; pawns a7/b5/d7/e5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf7 — rook f1→f7. Opponent replies Qd1+ (queen d6→d1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh2 — king h1→h2. Opponent replies Rxh3+ (rook c3→h3, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: gxh3 — pawn g2→h3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Rf7.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/p2p4/3q3p/1p2p3/1P2Q3/2P4P/P5P1/5R1K b - - 0 31

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