Chess Puzzle #59hSZ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rook b6; knights d5/d6; pawns c5/e4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; rook e2; bishop f3; knights c4/d4; pawns g5/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc4 — knight d6→c4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bg2+ — bishop f3→g2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
3. Best move: Nf3# — knight d4→f3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Nf3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/7p/1R1N4/2PN2p1/2nnP3/5bP1/4r2P/5K2 w - - 0 36

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