Chess Puzzle #08FDm — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 401 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rooks a1/f1; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e6; rooks c4/e8; pawns c7/d6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rfe1 — rook f1→e1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen e6→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook a1→e1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/2p2ppp/3pq3/1Q6/2r5/2P5/P4PPP/R4RK1 w - - 3 23

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