Chess Puzzle #0RC33 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 565 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a2/b1; knight f3; pawns a7/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b7; rooks c5/f8; bishop f6; pawns d6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook b1→b7, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c5→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook c1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/Pq3pp1/3p1b1p/2r5/8/5N2/R4PPP/1R4K1 w - - 0 28

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