Chess Puzzle #14WSD — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook d1; bishop e3; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2. Black: king c8; queen f3; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng4 — knight e5→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2k5/ppp2ppp/8/3Nn3/8/4Bq2/PPP2P2/3R2K1 b - - 3 20

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