Chess Puzzle #x18ML — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d7; rooks d1/e1; bishop e3; knight g5; pawns a2/e6/f3/f7/g2. Black: king h8; queen g6; rooks c2/f8; knight f5; pawns b6/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg2 — rook c2→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook e1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Nh6 (knight f5→h6).
3. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook h1→h6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g7→h6, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bd4+ — bishop e3→d4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/3K1Pp1/1p2P1q1/5nN1/8/4BP2/P1r3P1/3RR3 b - - 14 34

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