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

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook e1; pawns a4/b2/d3/d5/g4/h2. Black: king h8; queen g5; rook d8; pawns a7/b6/c7/f6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d8→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h4 — pawn h2→h4. Opponent replies Qxh4 (queen g5→h4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
4. Best move: Qxd5 — queen f3→d5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is h4.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/p1p4p/1p3p2/3P2q1/P5P1/3P1Q2/1P5P/4R1K1 b - - 0 31

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