Chess Puzzle #sEe7Y — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; rook h2; pawns a4/b3/c2/g4/h3. Black: king h4; rook e3; pawns a5/c6/c7/d5/e2/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh3 — rook e3→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh3+ — rook h2→h3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh3 (king h4→h3, captures rook).
3. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p5/2p3p1/p2p4/P5Pk/1P2r2P/2P1p2R/4K3 b - - 2 35

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