Chess Puzzle #2UFsT — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a4; rooks c1/g1; bishop e1; knight d5; pawns a5/b5/h3. Black: king h7; rooks b3/c8; bishop d3; knight d4; pawns a7/f4/f5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook c8→c1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight d5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
3. Best move: Rg8# — rook g1→g8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

arabian mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/p6k/7p/PP1N1p2/K2n1p2/1r1b3P/8/2R1B1R1 b - - 0 37

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