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

Position

White: king e2; rook b6; knight c7; pawns a4/b3/c4/f2/f3. Black: king e5; queen h1; bishop f4; pawns c5/e6/f5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc1 — queen h1→c1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe6+ — rook b6→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd4 (king e5→d4).
3. Best move: Nb5# — knight c7→b5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Nb5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/2N5/1R2p3/2p1kp2/P1P2b2/1P3P2/4KP2/7q b - - 1 40

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