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

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks f1/h2; pawns a3/b2/d3/e4/g5. Black: king f7; queen g4; rooks d8/f8; knight e8; pawns a7/b6/d4/e5/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke7 — king f7→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh7+ — rook h2→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king e7→e6).
3. Best move: Rxf8 — rook f1→f8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qg1+ (queen g4→g1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kc2 — king c1→c2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move is Rh7+.

Position data

FEN: 3rnr2/p4k2/1p4p1/4p1P1/3pP1q1/P2P4/1P1Q3R/2K2R2 b - - 5 31

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