Chess Puzzle #1I2DR — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1004 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook a1; bishops c1/d3; knights a3/e5; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight d4; pawns a6/b5/c5/d7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh7 — bishop d3→h7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Rf1# — rook f8→f1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b1kr2/3p2pp/p7/1pp1N3/3n4/N2B4/PPP3PP/R1B3K1 w q - 0 16

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