Chess Puzzle #pCJL9 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g3; rook f1; knight f3; pawns b3/c4/d7/h4. Black: king g8; queen e4; rooks a2/d2; pawns b4/c5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh2+ — rook d2→h2, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh2 — queen g3→h2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxh2+ (rook a2→h2, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxh2 — king h1→h2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qf4+ (queen e4→f4, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh1 — king h2→h1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move Qxh2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3P2pp/8/2p5/1pP1q2P/1P3NQ1/r2r4/5R1K b - - 0 41

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