Chess Puzzle #01J6z — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 446 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook c1; bishop e3; knights e4/f3; pawns a2/b4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook d5; bishop g7; knight d7; pawns b5/d6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook c1→c7, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d5→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2qn2bp/3p2p1/1p1r4/1P2N3/4BN2/P4PPP/2R3K1 w - - 0 26

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