Chess Puzzle #gUX3x — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen h4; rook b3; pawns a5/b4/d4/e5. Black: king h7; queen f8; rook c8; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king h7→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh3 — rook b3→h3. Opponent replies Rc2+ (rook c8→c2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kd1 — king e2→d1. Opponent replies Qf1+ (queen f8→f1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxc2 — king d1→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is Rh3.

Position data

FEN: 2r2q2/1p5k/p3p1p1/P2pP3/1P1P3Q/1R6/4K3/8 b - - 1 39

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