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

Position

White: king e3; rook a7; bishop e6; pawns e4/f3/g5/h3. Black: king h8; rook b2; knight c3; pawns a3/b3/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
3. Best move: Rg8# — rook a8→g8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/R6p/4B1p1/4p1P1/4P3/ppn1KP1P/1r6/8 b - - 1 44

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