Chess Puzzle #ppMsx — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e3; rooks d2/g2; pawns a5/b4/c3/e4/f2/g3/h4. Black: king a8; queen f6; rooks g4/g8; pawns a6/b7/c6/e5/f7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh4+ — rook g4→h4, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: gxh4 — pawn g3→h4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxh4+ (queen f6→h4, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg1 — king h2→g1. Opponent replies Rxg2+ (rook g8→g2, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxg2 — king g1→g2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move gxh4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: k5r1/1p3p2/p1p2q2/P3p2p/1P2P1rP/2P1Q1P1/3R1PRK/8 b - - 2 44

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