Chess Puzzle #J6aby — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks f1/g4; knights c6/f5; pawns a2/d5/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen b6; rooks c1/f8; knights e4/e8; pawns d6/e5/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf1 — rook c1→f1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh4+ — rook g4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Nce7# — knight c6→e7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Nce7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4nr2/5p1k/1qNp2p1/3PpN2/4n1R1/7P/P5PK/2r2R2 b - - 7 30

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