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

Rating 519 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rook b1; bishop h2; pawns c4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d1; rooks d3/d8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b7/f5/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook b1→d1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d3→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd1 (queen a4→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pp3pbp/8/5p2/Q1P5/3rP2P/5PPB/1R1q2K1 w - - 4 28

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