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

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/d6/e3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rooks a8/f8; knight c1; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight f3→e5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c1→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Rf1# — rook f8→f1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/pp4pp/2pPQ3/8/8/4PN2/PP4PP/2n3K1 w - - 1 21

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