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

Position

White: king h3; rook f7; knight e5; pawns f2/g4/h4. Black: king h6; rooks a2/d2; pawns d5/e6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook d2→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: g5+ — pawn g4→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king h6→h5).
3. Best move: Rxh7# — rook f7→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/5R1p/4p1pk/3pN3/6PP/7K/r2r1P2/8 b - - 0 43

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