Chess Puzzle #1BTU1 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 684 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook d7; bishop c3; pawns d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook b8; bishop d6; pawns d5/e3/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d7→d6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b8→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Be1 (bishop c3→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook b1→e1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/3R1pp1/3bp3/3p4/3P4/2B1p3/6PP/6K1 w - - 0 31

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