Chess Puzzle #42wzQ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; rook a7; bishop c6; knight e4; pawns b2/c2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king d8; rooks b8/h8; bishop f8; knight g6; pawns b6/e5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne7 — knight g6→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd7+ — rook a7→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d8→e8).
3. Best move: Nd6# — knight e4→d6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Nd6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r1k1b1r/R5pp/1pB2pn1/3Pp3/4N3/8/1PPK2PP/8 b - - 3 33

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