Chess Puzzle #44PSt — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; rook b7; knight f4; pawns d4/f3/g5/h4. Black: king g7; rooks a2/e3; pawns c4/c6/d5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf3 — rook e3→f3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne6+ — knight f4→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g7→h8).
3. Best move: Rb8# — rook b7→b8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short. The combination ends with Rb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/1R3pkp/2p3p1/3p2P1/2pP1N1P/4rP2/r7/3K4 b - - 3 42

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