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

Position

White: king g2; queen d4; rooks a1/h6; pawns a2/b2/f2/g4. Black: king h7; queen b7; rooks a8/f8; knight g6; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh6 — king h7→h6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook a1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Nh4+ (knight g6→h4, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxh4+ — rook h1→h4, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h6→g6).
4. Best move: g5 — pawn g4→g5.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Rxh4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/pq3p1k/1p2p1nR/3p4/3Q2P1/8/PP3PK1/R7 b - - 0 23

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