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

Rating 498 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rook f1; pawns a4/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen b1; rooks d2/d8; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/c5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb1 — rook f1→b1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook b1→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/p4pkp/1pn3p1/2p5/P1P5/6Q1/3r1PPP/1q3RK1 w - - 0 27

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