Chess Puzzle #1tnon — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook b7; bishop f4; knight a4; pawns a2/b3/g2/h2. Black: king b4; rooks g8/h8; knight a1; pawns a7/c6/d5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka3 — king b4→a3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc1+ — bishop f4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa2 (king a3→a2, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nc3# — knight a4→c3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Nc3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6rr/pR6/2p5/3p4/Nk3B2/1P6/P5PP/n5K1 b - - 1 28

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