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

Rating 623 · Beginner · back rank mate, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e7; rook h3; bishop b3; knight e2; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rook c8; bishop g7; knight f7; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight e2→d4, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Bd1 (bishop b3→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1p2Qnb1/p3p1pp/3p4/3q4/1B5R/PP2N1PP/7K w - - 0 29

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