Chess Puzzle #12ZaZ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; rooks g2/h1; knights c5/d2; pawns b2/d4/e3/f3/h4. Black: king h8; rooks c1/c3; bishop d3; pawns b3/d5/f5/g7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook h1→c1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c3→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nb1 (knight d2→b1).
3. Best move: Rxb1# — rook c1→b1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/6p1/8/2Np1p2/3P3P/1prbPP2/1P1N2R1/K1r4R w - - 2 33

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