Chess Puzzle #12ti0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; rook d3; bishop f7; knight d5; pawns a2/e4. Black: king c8; queen b2; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight c6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d3→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/ppp2B1p/2n3p1/3N4/4P3/3R3K/Pq6/8 b - - 1 24

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