Chess Puzzle #1smu8 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook c4; knight a7; pawns a3/e4/f3/h2. Black: king f8; rook a2; knight f4; pawns f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c4→c1).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook a1→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/N4ppp/8/8/2R1Pn2/P4P2/r6P/7K w - - 2 32

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