Chess Puzzle #181Kf — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 829 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame.

Position

White: king h1; rooks e1/f7; pawns a2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen e2; rook d8; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook e1→e2, captures queen. 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, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f7→f1).
  4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r4/ppp2Rpp/8/8/8/2P5/P3q1PP/4R2K w - - 0 25

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