Chess Puzzle #3wa8o — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; rooks d7/h1; bishop d5; knight g3; pawns a2/b2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c5/f8; bishop c2; knight a5; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb7 — bishop d5→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nb3+ — knight a5→b3, gives check. Opponent replies axb3 (pawn a2→b3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Ra5# — rook c5→a5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Ra5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pp1R1pp1/7p/n1rB4/8/5PN1/PPb2P1P/K6R w - - 2 21

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