Chess Puzzle #JocX2 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rook f1; bishop d6; knight e7; pawn h4. Black: king h8; rooks d3/e8; bishop e4; pawns b2/d5/e5/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king h8→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxe5+ — bishop d6→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g7→h7).
3. Best move: Rf7# — rook f1→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/4N3/3B3p/3pp3/4b2P/3r4/1p2K3/5R2 b - - 3 41

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