Chess Puzzle #0NnzL — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 508 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook e1; knight a4; pawns b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e4; rook c8; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook e1→e4, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e4→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook c1→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: 2r3k1/pp3ppp/4p3/8/N3q3/1P6/5PPP/4R1K1 w - - 0 28

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