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

Position

White: king g3; rook f4; bishop g2; knight d5; pawns a3/b2/c4/h3. Black: king g8; rook e2; bishop b7; knight c5; pawns a4/b6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook e2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rf8# — rook f4→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1b4pp/1p6/2nN4/p1P2R2/P5KP/1P2r1B1/8 b - - 3 30

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