Chess Puzzle #10xcO — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 584 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks a1/f3; bishop f5; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e1; rook e8; bishop c5; pawns a7/b7/d4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe1 — rook a1→e1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f3→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp3ppp/8/2b2B2/3p4/5R2/PPP3PP/R3q2K w - - 1 22

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