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

Rating 694 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen h6; rooks e1/g1; bishop d3; knight e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/h4. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks e7/e8; bishop f4; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxf4 — knight e2→f4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e7→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook g1→e1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/ppq1r2p/2p2npQ/3p4/3P1b1P/3B4/PPP1NP2/1K2R1R1 w - - 2 22

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