Chess Puzzle #lMVZ2 — Expert, White to move, opening

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks b1/f1; bishop e2; knights b3/g2; pawns a2/b2/c4/d3/e4/g3/h2. Black: king g7; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/g5; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/c5/d4/e5/f7/g4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh2+ — rook h8→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxh2 — king h1→h2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qh8+ (queen d8→h8, gives check).
3. Best move: Nh4 — knight g2→h4.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Kxh2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bq3r/p4pk1/1pn5/2p1p1b1/2PpP1p1/1N1P2P1/PP2B1NP/1R1Q1R1K b - - 6 21

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