Chess Puzzle #17Aya — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook a1; knights b8/d6; pawns a5/b7/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook d2; knights d3/e3; pawns d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h2→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook d2→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Nf2# — knight d3→f2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Nf2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1N4k1/1P3ppp/3N4/P2p4/8/3nn3/3r2PP/R5K1 w - - 3 29

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