Chess Puzzle #2SKqk — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; rook e1; bishop c5; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/c2/f4/g2/h3. Black: king d7; rooks a8/g8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/c6/f5/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re7+ — rook e1→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king d7→d8).
3. Best move: Nxf7# — knight g5→f7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Nxf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b3r1/pp1k1p1p/2p5/2B2pN1/5P2/2K4P/PPP3P1/4R3 b - - 5 25

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