Chess Puzzle #kfFK9 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen b3; rooks a1/h6; pawns a2/b2/d3/e6/g4. Black: king g8; queen b7; rooks d4/e7; pawns a7/b6/c5/f3/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg4 — rook d4→g4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rah1 — rook a1→h1. Opponent replies Qc7 (queen b7→c7).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h6→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Qc3+ — queen b3→c3, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, long, master, quiet move. The key move is Rah1.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pq2r3/1p2P1pR/2p5/3r2P1/1Q1P1p2/PP3K2/R7 b - - 1 40

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