Chess Puzzle #9I1l6 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook d1; knight c6; pawns a3/b4/c5/e3/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rook e8; knight f6; pawns a6/a7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e8→e3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king c8→b7).
3. Best move: Na5# — knight c6→a5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Na5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/p1p2ppp/p1N2n2/2P5/1P6/P3P3/6PP/3R2K1 b - - 0 23

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