Chess Puzzle #hc5Vs — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks f3/h3; bishop g4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f5/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c7; rook f6; bishops c4/e7; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/d6/e5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight c6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh7+ — rook h3→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king h8→h7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rh3+ — rook f3→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h7→g7).
4. Best move: Qg5+ — queen d2→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g7→f7).
5. Best move: Rh8 — rook h3→h8.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, defensive move, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7k/1pq1b2p/p1np1r2/4pP2/2b3B1/5R1R/PPPQ2PP/6K1 b - - 2 23

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