Chess Puzzle #0L9Ih — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook e8; bishop e5; knight c5; pawns a4/d4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king f7; rook a3; bishop c4; knight f5; pawns a7/c7/d5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook e8→c8. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a3→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
3. Best move: Rf1# — rook a1→f1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4R3/p1p2k1p/6p1/2NpBn2/P1bP4/r4P2/6PP/6K1 w - - 7 36

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