Chess Puzzle #05wuR — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 504 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen f5; rook e1; pawns a3/b3/c2/g2/h2. Black: king c7; rooks d1/d8; bishop g7; pawns c6/g5/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook e1→d1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ka2 (king b1→a2).
  3. Best move: Ra1# — rook d1→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Ra1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/2k3b1/2p4p/5Qp1/8/PP6/2P3PP/1K1rR3 w - - 3 31

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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