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

Rating 755 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks b1/c6; pawns f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks d2/d5; bishop c3; pawns f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c6→c3, captures bishop. 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 d5→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/2R4p/3r4/8/2b5/3r1PPP/1R4K1 w - - 0 28

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