Chess Puzzle #2T8Bp — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rook a8; knight d7; pawns e3/g4/h3. Black: king h6; rook a3; bishop f6; pawns a5/b4/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook a8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg5 (king h6→g5).
3. Best move: Rh5+ — rook h8→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king g5→g6).
4. Best move: Nf8# — knight d7→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Nf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: R7/3N1pp1/5b1k/p7/1p4P1/r3P2P/4K3/8 b - - 0 35

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