Chess Puzzle #360uB — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; rooks c1/h1; knights a4/c5; pawns a3/b4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; rooks d4/h8; bishops e6/f8; pawns a7/b7/f4/f7/g4/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd5 — bishop e6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd7+ — knight c5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king b8→a8).
3. Best move: Rc8# — rook c1→c8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k3b1r/pp3p2/4b2p/2N1P3/NP1r1pp1/P7/5PPP/2R1K2R b K - 3 23

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