Chess Puzzle #l3E7f — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rooks a6/c1; knight a5; pawns b2/b4/d6/g2/h2. Black: king b8; rooks d7/e4; knight d5; pawns b5/f4/g5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb4 — knight d5→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc8 (king b8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ra8# — rook a6→a8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Ra8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/3r3p/R2P4/Np1n2p1/1P2rp2/8/1P4PP/1KR5 b - - 0 36

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