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

Rating 794 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a5/h3; pawns b3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen b5; rooks e2/e8; bishop d2; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb5 — rook a5→b5, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe1 (queen d1→e1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1k2r3/ppp3pp/8/Rq6/3P4/1P5R/3brPPP/3Q2K1 w - - 0 29

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