Chess Puzzle #01jc0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 615 · Beginner · endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks d3/f1; knight d4; pawns a3/b2/c3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; rooks e4/e8; bishop h3; pawns a6/b5/d5/g6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rfd1 — rook f1→d1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e4→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook d1→e1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/6p1/p5p1/1p1p4/3NrP2/P1PR2Pb/1P5P/5R1K w - - 1 31

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