Chess Puzzle #00EXP — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 608 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks b1/d1; knights c5/d3; pawns a5/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks d4/d5; knights b4/c8; pawns a7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxb4 — knight d3→b4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d4→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook b1→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d5→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2n3k1/p4ppp/2p1p3/P1NrP3/1n1r4/3N4/5PPP/1R1R2K1 w - - 0 29

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.