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

Rating 556 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e1; pawns b2/c2/d5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e4; rook a2; knight d7; pawns b4/c5/d6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxe4 — queen e1→e4, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen e4→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook a1→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3n1p1p/3p2p1/2pP4/1p2qP2/8/rPP3PP/4Q2K w - - 0 26

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