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

Position

White: king g1; rook c1; knight e4; pawns a2/e3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king c6; rook h8; knight c5; pawns a6/b5/d3/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd5 — king c6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc5+ — rook c1→c5, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe4 (king d5→e4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Re5# — rook c5→e5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Re5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7r/6pp/p1k1p3/1pn5/4NP2/3pP3/P5PP/2R3K1 b - - 1 27

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