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

Position

White: king g1; rook d1; knight a4; pawns a3/b4/e3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook c2; knight e4; pawns a6/a7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd4 — rook d1→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d4→d1).
3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4pp1/p6p/8/NP2n3/P3P3/2r3PP/3R2K1 w - - 1 23

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