Mate in 2

The R+N battery on the sixth rank, aimed squarely at the enemy monarch, naturally draws the solver’s attention. However, Black’s rook on b1 and bishop on h2 encroach on its line of fire, rendering an immediate discharge ineffective. A key tactical idea, then, is to provoke Black into compromising one of these defenders—at which point White’s knight on c6 can move to sever the other’s influence, simultaneously freeing the rook behind to deliver mate.

The solution begins with 1.Qg6!, threatening 2.Qf5#. The strategy outlined above now takes effect. Black’s attempt to parry the threat with 1...Nf4 closes the h2-d6 diagonal, enabling 2.Nb4#; likewise, 1.Nb2 or 1.Rf1 relinquishes control of the b-file, allowing 2.Ne5#.

The d3 knight’s alternative moves create additional weaknesses, leading to further variations: 1…Ne1, 1…Nc1, and 1…Nf2 are all answered by 2.Bc4#; meanwhile, 1...Nb4 interferes with a3-c5 control, allowing 2.Nxc5#, and 1...Ne5 self-blocks e5, resulting in 2.Nd4#.

Finally, the non-thematic line 1...hxg4 2.Bxg4# highlights the importance of pinning the f6-pawn with 1.Qg6. This subtle detail is crucial, as 1.Qh7?, which also threatens 2.Qf5#, fails solely because of 1...hxg4!