Chess Puzzle #vkGcV — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f6; rooks a1/f1; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2. Black: king c8; queen a5; rooks d5/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfe1 — rook f1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh5+ — rook d5→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
3. Best move: Qd5 — queen a5→d5. Opponent replies Re8+ (rook e1→e8, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxe8 — rook g8→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Rh5+.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/ppp2p1p/5Q2/q2r4/8/8/PPP2PPK/R4R2 w - - 1 18

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