Chess Puzzle #2NZl8 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rooks d3/d4; bishop g3; knight e4; pawns a5/b4/e5/f4/h2. Black: king f7; rooks a2/c2; bishops g4/h6; pawns d7/e7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight e4→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re2+ — rook c2→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Nxe2 (knight c3→e2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe2# — rook a2→e2, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/3ppk1p/7b/P3P3/1P1RNPb1/3RK1B1/r1r4P/8 w - - 3 35

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