The solution is Nc8.
This is actually an easy one to find out. Here’s how I solved it: You can see in the given position, if black was to move, black could play Rxg8+ with check. This means that, if black is allowed to play Rxg8+ after white’s first move, then white is in check, and will not be able to mate on the second move. Therefore, white’s first move must make Rxg8+ impossible. The only four moves that do the trick are Nc8, Ne8, Rxb8+ and Kh7 (Kh7 doesn’t avoid Rxg8, but makes it a non-checking move). Out of those, it’s easy to check that only Nc8 works.
- Nc8
-
- … a6 or a5: 2. Ra7#
-
- … R to anywhere on the B file: 2. Nb6# (with double check)
-
- … Rxc8: 2. Rxc8#
That was good one! That site certainly isn’t tho XD
I don’t know the conventions for these puzzles but I think I’ve solved it. It’s an elegant setup!
spoiler
- Nb6
- Only legal moves would be (1) pawn a6, or (2) rook rightwards, up to and including capturing g8+
- if (1), Ra7#
- if (2), capture the rook, #
!Nb6? Even if you meant Nb7 or Nb5, then black Rxg8+ followed by white’s Rxg8+ is not mate in 2. I duplicated the ponies so it’s easier to see, even in this position is not mate
!<Whoops, I meant Nb5, and you’re right, I was mistaken.
Now that I’ve had some proper sleep: How about Nc8? Black can’t move the king, can’t use the rook to threaten white’s king, moving the pawn forward would expose Ra7#, and using the rook to capture would allow Rc8#
