Chess Puzzle #ign4Z — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook f7; bishop g3; knights d6/h3; pawns c4/d4/g2. Black: king e6; queen a5; rook b1; knight c3; pawns b7/c6/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa2 — queen a5→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf4+ — knight h3→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king e6→d6, captures knight).
3. Best move: c5# — pawn c4→c5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with c5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3R2/2pNk2p/q7/2PP4/2n3BN/6PK/1r6 b - - 3 37

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