Chess Puzzle #13xdk — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen c2; rooks d1/h1; bishops e3/f3; knight b8; pawns a2/b2/d4/g4/h5. Black: king h8; queen a5; rook a4; bishops f7/g7; knight g8; pawns c4/c6/d5/f6/g5/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc6 — knight b8→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxa2+ — rook a4→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king a1→b1).
3. Best move: Ra1# — rook a2→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Ra1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1N4nk/5bb1/2p2p1p/q2p2pP/r1pP2P1/4BB2/PPQ5/K2R3R w - - 0 33

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