Chess Puzzle #18zxY — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rooks c7/h1; bishops e3/g6; pawns a4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; rooks d8/f8; bishop b4; knight d5; pawns a6/b7/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook c7→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc3+ — knight d5→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e2→f1).
3. Best move: Rd1# — rook d8→d1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/1pR3p1/p5B1/3n4/Pb6/4B2P/4KPP1/7R w - - 4 28

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