Chess Puzzle #3FXEZ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/e2; bishop f4; knights b6/g3; pawns b2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rooks d8/h8; bishops c5/g6; knight d7; pawns a6/b7/d4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb6 — knight d7→b6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc5+ — rook c1→c5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
3. Best move: Rc7# — rook c5→c7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Rc7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/1p1n1pp1/pN4bp/2b5/3p1B2/1P4N1/1P2RPPP/2R3K1 b - - 5 22

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