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

Position

White: king d1; rook a1; bishop f4; knight c5; pawns a3/b4/c2/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c6; rook e8; knights d7/g4; pawns a6/c3/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd7 — knight c5→d7, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxf2+ — knight g4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king d1→c1).
3. Best move: Re1# — rook e8→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Re1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/3n1ppp/p1k5/2N5/1P3Bn1/P1pP4/2P2PPP/R2K4 w - - 0 24

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