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

Rating 1137 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook f1; knight f4; pawns e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b1; rooks c6/c8; bishop b7; pawns a4/a6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb1 — rook f1→b1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c6→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook b1→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: 2r3k1/1b3ppp/p1r1p3/3pQ3/p4N2/4P3/5PPP/1q3RK1 w - - 0 28

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