Chess Puzzle #1H8xA — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook f8; knight c6; pawns a2/b4/c4/d5/e3/g2. Black: king c8; queen d3; bishop h4; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb7 — king c8→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook f8→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka6 (king b7→a6).
3. Best move: b5# — pawn b4→b5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with b5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k2R2/p1p5/1pNp4/3P4/1PP4b/3qP3/P5P1/6K1 b - - 4 36

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