Chess Puzzle #4eqid — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; rooks a1/h4; bishop f1; knights d5/g5; pawns a2/c4/e2. Black: king h8; rooks a8/f8; bishops b2/c8; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa1 — bishop b2→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh7+ — rook h4→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Ne7# — knight d5→e7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Ne7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2r1k/pppn3p/3p4/3N2N1/2P4R/8/Pb2P3/R3KB2 b - - 1 22

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