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

Position

White: king b2; rooks e6/e7; knight f3; pawns a3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; rooks a7/c7; knight d7; pawns a5/b6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc5 — knight d7→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
3. Best move: Ne5# — knight f3→e5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Ne5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/r1rnR1p1/1p2R2p/p7/8/P4N2/1K3PPP/8 b - - 5 24

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