Chess Puzzle #0yNM8 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 399 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook d1; pawns a3/b4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook c8; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d5→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pp3p1p/6p1/3q4/1P6/P3P3/5PPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 24

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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