Chess Puzzle #406ET — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rooks c4/d1; knight e4; pawns a4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e6; rooks a3/b8; bishop d4; pawns a5/e5/f6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc2 — king b1→c2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb2+ — rook b8→b2, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king c2→c1).
3. Best move: Ra1# — rook a3→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Ra1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/7p/4kp2/p3p3/P1RbN3/r3P2P/5PP1/1K1R4 w - - 5 36

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