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

Position

White: king g2; queen c4; rook a1; pawns a4/b2/c2/d5. Black: king g5; queen f8; rook a8; pawns a5/b7/c5/d6/f6/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe7 — queen f8→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh1 — rook a1→h1. Opponent replies Rh8 (rook a8→h8).
3. Best move: Rxh8 — rook h1→h8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, quiet move, short. The key move is Rh1.

Position data

FEN: r4q2/1p6/3p1pp1/p1pP2k1/P1Q5/8/1PP3K1/R7 b - - 0 31

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