Chess Puzzle #15MZV — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 471 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; rook f2; knight e7; pawns a2/b3/c4/g2/h2. Black: king f8; rook d8; knight e2; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook f2→e2, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e2→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/pp2Nppp/8/8/2P5/1P6/P3nRPP/7K w - - 0 26

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