Chess Puzzle #0Whrh — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook d7; bishop f6; knight g4; pawns a3/b2/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rook b8; bishop f8; knight a6; pawns a5/b6/c4/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight g4→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rh7# — rook d7→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

arabian mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r3bk1/3R2p1/np3B1p/p7/2p2PN1/P5P1/1P5P/7K b - - 0 31

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