Chess Puzzle #12Vj1 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 475 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king g1; rook e7; bishop b3; pawns a2/c5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h6; rook c8; bishop d6; pawns b5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: cxd6 — pawn c5→d6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Bd1 (bishop b3→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook c1→d1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e7→e1).
  4. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/4R2p/3b2pk/1pP5/8/1B6/P4PPP/6K1 w - - 0 31

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.