Chess Puzzle #274jC — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks a1/f1; knight b5; pawns a6/b4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks c2/g3; bishop f4; pawns e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg1 — rook f1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxh3+ — rook g3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies gxh3 (pawn g2→h3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rh2# — rook c2→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5ppp/P7/1N2p3/1P3b2/6rP/2r3P1/R4R1K w - - 1 27

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