Chess Puzzle #j8XMh — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b8; rook e8; knight a7; pawns a2/b3/f2/g3/h3. Black: king h7; queen g6; rook f6; knight f5; pawns c5/d4/f3/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg5 — queen g6→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook e8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h7→g6).
3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen b8→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf7 (rook f6→f7).
4. Best move: Nc6 — knight a7→c6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, master. The key move is Rh8+.

Position data

FEN: 1Q2R3/N5pk/5rqp/2p2n2/3p4/1P3pPP/P4P2/6K1 b - - 4 31

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