Chess Puzzle #EXDtU — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f6; rooks d1/g1; bishop b5; knight c6; pawns a2/c3/f2/h2. Black: king c8; queen c5; rooks a8/h8; bishops b7/f8; pawns a7/c7/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc6 — bishop b7→c6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ba6+ — bishop b5→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Bb7 (bishop c6→b7).
3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1k2b1r/pbp2p2/2N1pQ1p/1Bq5/8/2P5/P4P1P/2KR2R1 b - - 0 20

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