Chess Puzzle #1FMrZ — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king c3; rook h6; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c2. Black: king c5; rook g2; pawns a5/b5/c4/c6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: b4+ — pawn b5→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Nxb4 (knight c6→b4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: axb4# — pawn a5→b4, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with axb4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2p4R/ppk1N3/2p5/2K5/PPP3r1/8 w - - 20 53

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