Chess Puzzle #8ouB0 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook e7; knight d5; pawns a3/b5/f2/f3/h2. Black: king a6; rooks c2/h8; pawns a7/b6/c6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb5 — pawn c6→b5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nb4+ — knight d5→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king a6→a5).
3. Best move: Rxa7# — rook e7→a7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxa7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7r/p3R3/kpp4p/1P1N2p1/8/P4P2/2r2P1P/6K1 b - - 0 31

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