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

Rating 594 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/c1; bishop f4; pawns c3/e3/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b4; rooks c4/c8; pawns a6/b7/e4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c4→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook a1→c1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1p3ppp/p3p3/4P3/1qr1pB2/2P1P3/5PPP/R1R3K1 w - - 0 24

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